This collection of fans’ videos from Spa includes several angles of the destructive first-corner smash triggered by Romain Grosjean.
Wet practice
The Spa weekend got off to a very wet start on Friday.
First-corner crash
A good view of the crash and aftermath.
The reverse angle gives a good impression of the speeds involved. Note the people at the first corner ducking, and watch out for the marshal who inexplicably chooses to kick a runaway wheel.
Pastor Maldonado’s jump start is clear to see in this view of the start.
Restart
Timo Glock is knocked into a spin at La Source by Pastor Maldonado. You can see another video of that crash here:
The field flashes through Eau Rouge after the restart.
Kovalainen spins
Heikki Kovalainen recovers from a spin at the chicane.
Pouhon
Later on in the race, Jenson Button leads the field through one of F1’s greatest corners.
Schumacher vs Raikkonen
The two kings of Spa treated the crowd to some fabulous moves. Here’s Schumacher taking Raikkonen.
Hulkenberg vs Schumacher
Here’s Nico Hulkenberg putting a move on the outside of Michael Schumacher at the La Source hairpin.
Button celebrates
Button waves to the crowd after his win.
Track invasions
The crowd explore the track for themselves after the race.
Thanks to @Girts for researching this article. If you’re interested in contributing to F1 Fanatic, see here for details on how you can:
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Girts (@girts)
12th September 2012, 12:15
I saw Kovalainen spin right in front of my eyes. I think that’s the only time I’ve ever grabbed my head, while watching F1 from the stands. I saw that it was going wrong already as he was entering the corner. After the spin, I was very afraid that someone else would t-bone him. Luckily, Maldonado had already retired so it ended well.
I think it’s a pity that F1 drivers don’t do a parade lap at Spa (GP2 drivers do).
I hope to take some good videos myself at some F1 race in the future but I think that filming distracts one from the action a bit and I also need to buy a serious camera first!
Nick.UK (@)
12th September 2012, 13:00
Having watched many races at Spa on TV this never bothered me in the slightest, but having been at the race this year I really noticed the effect it has on a fans experience when they don’t do it. It’s such a shame. I really felt like something was missing from my day after the cars went by on thier last lap. The race didn’t have any closure (if that makes sense).
hey (@hey)
12th September 2012, 13:59
I love fans videos. They always give a much better impression of the guttural power and speed of the cars than the TV feed. I’ve never been to an F1 race so these videos are the nearest I get.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
12th September 2012, 14:10
Woah ! the second video of the crash is amaizing ! It didn’t look that fast on the telly. Shocking !
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
13th September 2012, 13:02
@fer-no65 I know. Not pleasant :/
James Muscat
12th September 2012, 16:47
I think the marshal that kicked the runaway wheel did so to slow it down a bit before he tried to handle it…
Tom (@newdecade)
12th September 2012, 17:12
Yeah I wouldn’t want to try and grapple a rapidly moving runaway wheel without a feel for just how heavy it is… Although I did once get a chance to do pretend pitstops at a Ferrari demo, the wheels are surprisingly light, I guess like everything else on an F1 car.
michaeldobson13 (@michaeldobson13)
12th September 2012, 17:09
On the Eau Rouge video, if you pause it at around 18 seconds you can see Maldonado’s wing hanging off the front of the car (compare it to Senna’s at 13 seconds, you can see the difference), yet he still takes the corner almost as fast as the other cars in front and behind
Lady Luck
15th September 2012, 7:04
2nd video @ 0:27
You can hear Grosjean’s car slamming into Alonso’s.
Alonso was INCHES from a crushed skull and/or broken neck.