The Formula 1 world has been doused in controversy ahead of the final race in the 2024 season thanks to two of its biggest stars.
Max Verstappen and George Russell’s war of words has been raging since post-race in Qatar. This very public feud is arguably the first of its kind F1 fans have been able to witness in at least three years, with Verstappen’s utter dominance quelling any real reason for bickering as the rest of the field battled it out for the silver medal.
Now though, with Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari all hot on the Dutchman’s heels, and with Red Bull set to lose the constructors title for the first time since 2021, tension has returned in spades to the F1 paddock. With this in mind, there is no better time to take a trip down memory lane in order to revisit some of the sport’s most high-profile spats.
Michael Schumacher vs Damon Hill, 1994-1996
The 1994 F1 season saw a fierce battle for bragging rights between Williams’ Damon Hill, the son of two-time World Champion: Graham Hill, and a future icon of the sport: Benetton’s Michael Schumacher. The young German was dominant through the first seven races of the season, winning all but one, before his title campaign was derailed in his disqualification from both the British and Belgian Grand Prix’s — with the former also resulting in a further two race ban.
Michael Schumacher, Benetton B194 leads with Damon Hill, Williams FW16B
Photo by: Motorsport Images
Hill made the most of this opportunity, winning the four races Schumacher missed, cutting his rival’s lead to just one point heading into the season finale in Australia. Once in Adelaide, and midway through the race, Schumacher seemingly turned into Hill as the Briton challenged him on the inside of a corner, sending the Benneton flying into the barrier and ending his race. And while Hill managed to hobble back to the pits, damage to his car forced him to retire, landing Schumacher the crown.
Schumacher would win his second title the following season, before Hill got the better of him in 1996 during the German’s first year with Ferrari.
“Michael and I actually got on well, but on the track we hated each other,” Hill revealed when speaking with Bild.
“It was and is not possible to be any other way if you want to become Formula 1 world champion. There was no room for niceties.”
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