One of the most interesting collisions I have seen in Formula1. Wurz was about 6 inches from instant death. Make sure to watch it through to around 1:20 to see the in car shots. Also one of the few times I ever seen an F1 driver apologize and take the blame for something (Coulthard did later).
Coulthard - Wurz Crash

 

yeah, that was just an amazing crash. Wurz at least did the right thing with slamming on the brakes

 

Sadly, there are many drivers out on city streets trying to do the same things.

 

I wouldn't say he was inches away from instant death, a big headache perhaps. When I was watching the race I mentioned to my freind that it was a Gran Turismo 1 move... just dive bomb the inside and try to use the other car as a guard rail. I don't know what Couthard was thinking.

On a semi-related note, I read an article the other day about possibly going back to steel brakes in F1 from the current carbon fibre variety. The idea is that the steel brakes will increase braking distances and allow for more passing under braking. I guess some feel the 3.5 ft needed for the current cars to haul themselves down leaves little room for passing. I imagine Couthard would have just launched himself into orbit with steelies on.

 

IMO its the aero that makes passing so hard in F1, all the little wings + the HUGE spoiler makes so much air turbulence behind the cars. You'll never see passings like the one in GT2 @ Sebring! + since they cant develop the V8s to be more powerful, they'll just make the cars have more downforce/less drag and make life even harder for the cars behind it. Money that went into engine development will go into aerodynamics.
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That's the popular opinion as well. F1 has several ideas, including the one below, to reduce the effect of aero instability when behind other cars. I read that many teams this year put more emphasis for designing stability into their cars in turbulent air flow.

 

Ouch, made me think about the way Senna died. If something from Coulthard's car did hit Wurz's head or worse go through the visor, it could have been very tragic.

Of course Senna's accident was very different, but it was the impact to his head that caused the fatality.

 

Yeah, I was watching it LIVE and could not believe it Coulthard was so close to killing Wurz's, He was a Dick Head to even think he would make it on the inside, I wondered if he will cop any fine or suspension...anyone heard anything?...
The Vision from Wurz's car camera is amazing...

 

Yeah, poor old (young) Senna...what an amazing talented GUTSY driver he was, STILL IMO the most talented in the modern era...and that includes that retired Ferrari cheat/bad sport.

 

You really think so? I figured a direct blow to the head by a 1000lb+ car traveling at high speeds would result in death or maybe even decapitation. Of course if front wing just clipped him the HANS might save his neck.

I think they should work on a push to pass system/smooth out airflow turbulence before they mess with the brakes. The braking distances are one of the few things that set F1 apart from most other forms of motorsport. And that is one good example of trickle down technology to modern cars. I like the new rule requiring one stint with softer tires during the race, although it must be hard to implement for gaining positions, because I didn't see anyone really take advantage of it this past race.

 

I will tell you what.... I am sure Wurz will not be happy by the DC dive AT ALL.

He did the right thing not going after DC at the pit lane, but I heard the manager of both team had a chat with DC.

It is prob his last season.... I will eat my word if he is coming back next year.

 

If F1 cars were not wing dependent like they are now passing would be easy. Reduce the wing size and angle then give the cars ground effect to compensate for the downforce lost. Now the car would have plenty of grip and could follow closer.

I will admit that they seem to be following closer this year than years past.