1994 Australian Grand Prix

The LIX Australian Grand Prix, otherwise known as the 1994 Australian Grand Prix, was the sixteenth and final round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Adelaide Street Circuit in Adelaide, South Australia, on the 13 November 1994.'Australian GP, 1994', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr564.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019) The race would be won by Nigel Mansell, as Michael Schumacher claimed his maiden World Championship title after a clash with title rival Damon Hill ensured that both drivers retired.
The weekend started with another round of driver changes, with taking Jean-Denis Délétraz and Hideki Noda, while employed Domenico Schiattarella once again. , meanwhile, were gearing up for what threatened to be their final Grand Prix weekend, with no other changes to the top teams.
Qualifying saw Schumacher show the first signs of pressure, crashing heavily during the Friday session to wreck his race car. Fortunately for him his time had been good enough for second behind Nigel Mansell, with title rival Hill, just a point behind the German ace at the start of the weekend, claiming third. Rain on Saturday would deny any chance of further improvement.
It was dry on Sunday, with Schumacher making the best start to leap ahead of Mansell, although Hill managed to follow him through. Those two duly sprinted away from the chasing pack with Hill glued to the German's tail, while Mansell tried to hold third.
Ultimately Mansell would make a minor mistake and slip behind Mika Häkkinen and Rubens Barrichello, although he would manage to battle back past the after a few laps. Out front, meanwhile, Hill was able to remain tucked under Schumacher's wing through to the pitstops, with the top two staying out for the longest as neither wanted to surrender track position.
Hill's pressure finally told on lap 36, with Schumacher running wide at the East Terrace and smacking the wall. The German racer then swept back across the track into the path of Hill as the Brit tried to get a run on the , resulting in Schumacher getting tipped on two wheels before sliding into the barriers. Schumacher was now out, the only question was how damaged was Hill's car.
Hill would try to carry on after the incident, although it was clear that his had major suspension damage. The Brit stopped a lap later for repairs but nothing could be done, leaving him out of the race and Schumacher celebrating his maiden Championship at the side of the circuit.
On track, meanwhile, Mansell would inherit the lead of the race, although he had Gerhard Berger glued to his tail, with the Austrian ace throwing his relentlessly at the Williams. Ultimately, however, Mansell would soak up all of the pressure from the Austrian ace, resulting in Berger making a minor mistake in the closing stages and dropping off the back of the #2 car.
With that the race was over, with Mansell sweeping across the line to claim his 31st and final World Championship victory. Berger duly came home second ahead of Martin Brundle, the Brit having got ahead of teammate Häkkinen to complete the podium moments before the Finn crashed out of the race in the closing stages.
The debate over Schumacher's move would rumble on for years after the race, with Hill and Williams opting not to protest the result. Furthermore, the race would be the final one for seven time World Constructors Champions Team Lotus, and the last to feature an entry larger than the available grid slots.
==Background==
Damon Hill's sixth victory of the season left the British driver just a point behind Championship leader Michael Schumacher ahead of the season finale, meaning it would be winner takes all in Australia. Indeed, if Schumacher finished ahead of the Brit that he would become the first German World Champion, while Hill had to finish fifth or higher just to overhaul Schumacher's tally. Elsewhere, Gerhard Berger was secure in third ahead of Mika Häkkinen, with the Finn set to battle with Jean Alesi for fourth.
The Constructors Championship was also to go down to the finale in Adelaide, with and separated by just five points. It was the former who held the advantage ahead of the finale, having moved ahead of the latter as a result of the battle of Japan. Various permutations could see either team win, with a one-two for either guaranteeing them the title, while were set to finish a distant third.
===Entry list===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
0 	Damon Hill 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW16B 	 	RS6 3.5 V10 	
2 	Nigel Mansell 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW16B 	 	RS6 3.5 V10 	
3 	Ukyo Katayama 	Tyrrell Racing Organisation 	 	022 	 	OX10B 3.5 V10 	
4 	Mark Blundell 	Tyrrell Racing Organisation 	 	022 	 	OX10B 3.5 V10 	
5 	Michael Schumacher 	Mild Seven Benetton Ford 	 	B194 	 	EC Zetec-R 3.5 V8 	
6 	Johnny Herbert 	Mild Seven Benetton Ford 	 	B194 	 	EC Zetec-R 3.5 V8 	
7 	Mika Häkkinen 	Marlboro McLaren Peugeot 	 	MP4/9 	 	A6 3.5 V10 	
8 	Martin Brundle 	Marlboro McLaren Peugeot 	 	MP4/9 	 	A6 3.5 V10 	
9 	Christian Fittipaldi 	Footwork Ford 	 	FA15 	 	HBE7/8 3.5 V8 	
10 	Gianni Morbidelli 	Footwork Ford 	 	FA15 	 	HBE7/8 3.5 V8 	
11 	Mika Salo 	Team Lotus 	 	109 	 	MF-351HC 3.5 V10 	
12 	Alex Zanardi 	Team Lotus 	 	109 	 	MF-351HC 3.5 V10 	
14 	Rubens Barrichello 	Sasol Jordan 	 	194 	 	1035 3.5 V10 	
15 	Eddie Irvine 	Sasol Jordan 	 	194 	 	1035 3.5 V10 	
19 	Hideki Noda 	Tourtel Larrousse F1 	 	LH94 	 	HBF7/8 3.5 V8 	
20 	Jean-Denis Délétraz 	Tourtel Larrousse F1 	 	LH94 	 	HBF7/8 3.5 V8 	
23 	Pierluigi Martini 	Minardi Scuderia Italia 	 	M194 	 	HBC7/8 3.5 V8 	
24 	Michele Alboreto 	Minardi Scuderia Italia 	 	M194 	 	HBC7/8 3.5 V8 	
25 	Franck Lagorce 	Ligier Gitanes Blondes 	 	JS39B 	 	RS6 3.5 V10 	
26 	Olivier Panis 	Ligier Gitanes Blondes 	 	JS39B 	 	RS6 3.5 V10 	
27 	Jean Alesi 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	412T1B 	 	043 3.5 V12 	
28 	Gerhard Berger 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	412T1B 	 	043 3.5 V12 	
29 	JJ Lehto 	Sauber Mercedes 	 	C13 	 	2175B 3.5 V10 	
30 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Sauber Mercedes 	 	C13 	 	2175B 3.5 V10 	
31 	David Brabham 	MTV Simtek Ford 	 	S941 	 	HBD6 3.5 V8 	
32 	Domenico Schiattarella 	MTV Simtek Ford 	 	S941 	 	HBD6 3.5 V8 	
33 	Paul Belmondo 	Pacific Grand Prix 	 	PR01 	 	2175A 3.5 V10 	
34 	Bertrand Gachot 	Pacific Grand Prix 	 	PR01 	 	2175A 3.5 V10 	
Source:'Australia 1994: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/08/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Friday Qualifying===
===Saturday Qualifying===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Time 	Gap
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Q1 	Q2 	Gap
1 	2 	Nigel Mansell 	 	1:16.179 	1:33.988 	—
2 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:16.197 	1:32.627 	+0.018s
3 	0 	Damon Hill 	 	1:16.830 	1:33.792 	+0.651s
4 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:16.992 	1:35.432 	+0.813s
5 	14 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:17.537 	1:37.610 	+1.358s
6 	15 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:17.667 	— 	+1.488s
7 	6 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:17.727 	1:35.712 	+1.548s
8 	27 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:17.801 	1:33.905 	+1.622s
9 	8 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:17.950 	1:36.246 	+1.771s
10 	30 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:17.962 	1:35.623 	+1.783s
11 	28 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:18.070 	1:33.818 	+1.891s
12 	26 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:18.072 	1:36.222 	+1.893s
13 	4 	Mark Blundell 	 	1:18.237 	1:35.462 	+2.058s
14 	12 	Alex Zanardi 	 	1:18.331 	1:39.179 	+2.152s
15 	3 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:18.411 	1:36.628 	+2.232s
16 	24 	Michele Alboreto 	 	1:18.755 	1:36.498 	+2.576s
17 	29 	JJ Lehto 	 	1:18.806 	1:36.245 	+2.627s
18 	23 	Pierluigi Martini 	 	1:18.957 	1:36.257 	+2.778s
19 	9 	Christian Fittipaldi 	 	1:19.061 	1:35.790 	+2.882s
20 	25 	Franck Lagorce 	 	1:19.153 	1:37.393 	+2.974s
21 	10 	Gianni Morbidelli 	 	1:19.610 	1:35.136 	+3.431s
22 	11 	Mika Salo 	 	1:19.844 	1:43.071 	+3.665s
23 	19 	Hideki Noda 	 	1:20.145 	1:47.569 	+3.966s
24 	31 	David Brabham 	 	1:20.442 	— 	+4.263s
25 	20 	Jean-Denis Délétraz 	 	1:22.422 	1:44.155 	+6.243s
26 	32 	Domenico Schiattarella 	 	1:22.529 	— 	+6.350s
DNQ 	33 	Paul Belmondo 	 	1:24.087 	— 	+7.908s
DNQ 	34 	Bertrand Gachot 	 	7:40.317 	— 	+6:24.138
Source:'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australia 1994: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/08/2019)	Source:'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australia 1994: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/08/2019)	Source:'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australia 1994: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/08/2019)	Source:'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australia 1994: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/08/2019)	Source:'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australia 1994: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/08/2019)	Source:'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australia 1994: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/08/2019)	Source:'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australian Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1994/races/620/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 07/08/2019)'Australia 1994: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 07/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car to set their best time in that session.
*Bold indicates a driver's best/qualifying time.
===Grid===
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	2 	Nigel Mansell 	 	81 	1:47:51.480 	1 	10
2 	28 	Gerhard Berger 	 	81 	+2.511s 	11 	6
3 	8 	Martin Brundle 	 	81 	+52.487s 	9 	4
4 	14 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	81 	+1:10.530 	5 	3
5 	26 	Olivier Panis 	 	80 	+1 Lap 	12 	2
6 	27 	Jean Alesi 	 	80 	+1 Lap 	8 	1
7 	30 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	80 	+1 Lap 	10 	
8 	9 	Christian Fittipaldi 	 	80 	+1 Lap 	19 	
9 	23 	Pierluigi Martini 	 	79 	+2 Laps 	18 	
10 	29 	JJ Lehto 	 	79 	+2 Laps 	17 	
11 	25 	Franck Lagorce 	 	79 	+2 Laps 	20 	
12* 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	76 	Accident 	4 	
Ret 	24 	Michele Alboreto 	 	69 	Suspension 	16 	
Ret 	4 	Mark Blundell 	 	66 	Collision 	13 	
Ret 	20 	Jean-Denis Délétraz 	 	56 	Gearbox 	25 	
Ret 	11 	Mika Salo 	 	49 	Electrical 	22 	
Ret 	31 	David Brabham 	 	49 	Engine 	24 	
Ret 	12 	Alex Zanardi 	 	40 	Throttle 	14 	
Ret 	0 	Damon Hill 	 	35 	Collision 	3 	
Ret 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	35 	Collision 	2 	
Ret 	32 	Domenico Schiattarella 	 	21 	Gearbox 	26 	
Ret 	3 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	19 	Spin 	15 	
Ret 	19 	Hideki Noda 	 	18 	Oil leak 	23 	
Ret 	10 	Gianni Morbidelli 	 	17 	Oil leak 	21 	
Ret 	15 	Eddie Irvine 	 	15 	Spin 	6 	
Ret 	6 	Johnny Herbert 	 	13 	Gearbox 	7 	
DNQ 	33 	Paul Belmondo 	 	 	 	 	
DNQ 	34 	Bertrand Gachot 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Australia 1994: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/08/2019)	Source:'Australia 1994: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 04/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Häkkinen was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* Michael Schumacher declared as the FIA Formula One World Championship Champion.
** Schumacher became the first German born racing driver to win the Championship.'16. Australia 1994', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1994/australie.aspx, (Accessed 07/08/2019)
* declared as the 1994 FIA Formula One World Championship for Constructors Champions.
** Williams claimed their seventh Championship title as a constructor.
** Renault secured their third World title as an engine supplier.
* made their 489th and final Grand Prix appearance as a constructor.
* made their 400th appearance at a Grand Prix as an engine supplier.
* 194th and final Grand Prix start for Michele Alboreto.
* 50th Grand Prix start for Gianni Morbidelli.
* Mika Häkkinen entered his 50th Grand Prix.'1994 Australian GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1994&gp=Australian%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 07/08/2019)
* Debut race for Jean-Denis Délétraz.
* Nigel Mansell secured the 32nd and final pole position of his career.
* 31st and final Grand Prix victory for Mansell.
** This was also the 59th and final podium visit for the World Champion.
**As of 2023, this is the most recent Grand Prix where a driver in his forties took the victory (Mansell was 41 years and 97 days old at the time).
* Williams claimed their 78th win as a constructor.
** Renault secured their 58th victory as an engine supplier.
* Schumacher recorded the 160th and final fastest lap to be set using a Ford Cosworth engine.
==Standings==
Regardless of whether his actions were sporting or otherwise, the FIA Formula One World Championship Champion would be Michael Schumacher, becoming the first German born racing driver to claim the crown. Damon Hill would finish the season just a point behind the German racer, a feat that would earn him many accolades for both his performance and his grace in defeat. Gerhard Berger, meanwhile, would finish the season in a distant third, with Mika Häkkinen and Jean Alesi completing the top five.
In the Constructors Championship it was who emerged with the crown, ending the campaign on 118 points. hence lost out on a maiden title by fifteen points, having claimed eight victories to the Champions' seven. Behind, would end the season in third ahead of , while seven time Champions would bow out of F1 having failed to score a single point in 1994.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	92 	
2 	Damon Hill 	91 	
3 	Gerhard Berger 	41 	
4 	Mika Häkkinen 	26 	
5 	Jean Alesi 	24 	
6 	Rubens Barrichello 	19 	
7 	Martin Brundle 	16 	1
8 	David Coulthard 	14 	1
9 	Nigel Mansell 	13 	12
10 	Jos Verstappen 	10 	1
11 	Olivier Panis 	9 	
12 	Mark Blundell 	8 	2
13 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	7 	1
14 	Nicola Larini 	6 	1
15 	Christian Fittipaldi 	6 	1
16 	Eddie Irvine 	6 	1
17 	Ukyo Katayama 	5 	1
18 	Éric Bernard 	4 	1
19 	Karl Wendlinger 	4 	1
20 	Andrea de Cesaris 	4 	1
21 	Pierluigi Martini 	4 	1
22 	Gianni Morbidelli 	3 	
23 	Érik Comas 	2 	
24 	JJ Lehto 	1 	
25 	Michele Alboreto 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	118 	
2 	 	103 	
3 	 	71 	
4 	 	42 	
5 	 	28 	
6 	 	13 	2
7 	 	13 	1
8 	 	12 	1
9 	 	9 	
10 	 	5 	
11 	 	2 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1994 Grands Prix
Category:Australian Grand Prix