F1 driver was injured in worst British GP crash ever before his death | F1 | Sport
Former Formula One driver and commentator Andrea de Adamich has sadly died at the age of 84. The Italian racing legend had an illustrious career, representing top teams such as Ferrari, McLaren, March, Surtees and Brabham. Between 1968 and 1973, he participated in 34 races, competing 12 times in the 1972 season alone and accumulating six points in total – three each in 1972 and 1973.
De Adamich is also remembered for his involvement in the notorious 1973 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. British F1 icon Jackie Stewart led the race after the first lap in his Tyrell, but chaos ensued behind him when Jody Scheckter, in fourth place, spun his McLaren around the high-speed Woodcote corner, which had minimal run-off area. A number of cars following Scheckter crashed into the South African driver or collided while attempting to avoid him. Pit crew members and media personnel were forced to leap for safety as debris scattered around them.
In total, nine cars were involved in one of the most severe mass collisions in F1 history.
De Adamich, who never raced in F1 again, remained trapped in his Brabham with a broken knee and ankle. Fortunately, the oncoming drivers reacted swiftly, applying their brakes just in time to prevent an absolute disaster.
It took half an hour for de Adamich to be rescued from his vehicle. Remarkably, he was the only driver to sustain serious injuries. Even Scheckter, whose spin initiated the pile-up, emerged unscathed.
If such an event occurred today, a red flag would have been immediately raised, but F1 wasn’t as safety-conscious back then.
Unaware of the chaos that had unfolded, Stewart and his immediate competitors sped around Woodcote at the end of the second lap, only to be met by yellow flags and a scene of devastation with numerous officials and marshals on the track.
De Adamich retired the following year and became a well-respected motorsport journalist and TV commentator in his home country of Italy. However, the lure of racing proved too strong and he twice participated in the Le Mans 24 Hours.
From 1978 to 2012, he presented the TV sports programme Grand Prix on Italia 1. He later became the vice-president of N.Technology, which prepares race cars for Alfa Romeo.
In acknowledgement of his contributions to sport and media, he was awarded the “Commendatore” of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2022, one of Italy’s highest civilian honours.
De Adamich is survived by his wife, whom he wed in a civil ceremony in January 2010.
