8 of the kindest moments in F1 history

Formula 1 is a highly competitive sport where everybody is determined to win – but this doesn’t mean that the human side is forgotten, with various moments of goodwill occurring across the championship’s 75 years.

In celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Day, we’ve rounded up a few of the times where the stars of F1 showed their compassion for one another, from lending a rival what may sometimes have been a crucial piece of equipment through to bravely intervening at the scene of an accident.

Senna comes to the aid of Comas

During qualifying for the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix, Ligier Renault driver Erik Comas suffered a heavy crash at Blanchimont. The Frenchman had hit the barriers at nearly 200 mph and was knocked unconscious by the impact, meaning that his foot was still pressing on the throttle as his car remained in the middle of the track.

Given that this was continuing to pump fuel into the car, there was a risk that it could go up in flames. But when Ayrton Senna witnessed the incident ahead of him, the Brazilian pulled over and ran to assist Comas, quickly shutting off the engine and supporting the driver’s head until the medical crew arrived at the scene.

Fortunately Comas was able to return to action at the next race, and the French driver went on to credit Senna with saving his life.

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Coulthard borrows a helmet from Schumacher

F1 drivers are known for their distinctive helmets, with each sporting a unique design that also acts as a handy way of spotting who is at the wheel. There might have been a fair bit of confusion, then, when one driver borrowed another’s lid during the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix.

David Coulthard had been experiencing issues with his visor misting up during the pre-race warm-up for the event. Fortunately, Michael Schumacher – who used the same helmet supplier – was willing to lend the Scot his spare helmet for the rest of the event.

This resulted in the unusual sight of a design belonging to Schumacher appearing at the wheel of Coulthard’s McLaren. It turned out to bring some good fortune for the latter, who was one of only three drivers to finish a chaotic race on the streets of Monaco.

7 June 2001: David Coulthard (left) and Michael Schumacher (centre) discuss how Arrows driver — Coulthard borrowed a helmet from his future title rival Schumacher at the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix

Russell runs to help Zhou

The start of the 2022 British Grand Prix was marred by a horrible accident for Zhou Guanyu, with the Chinese driver’s Alfa Romeo flipping over before flying into the catch fencing following a Lap 1 collision with the Mercedes of George Russell.

This resulted in the car becoming wedged on its side in the gap between the tyre barrier and the fence. While the race was red flagged, Russell – who had come to a halt not far from the scene – leapt out of his vehicle and ran to see if he could help Zhou.

The Briton was seen standing on the tyre barrier and beckoning to the marshals to help as Zhou needed to be extracted from the car. Fortunately the Alfa Romeo driver was soon stretchered to an ambulance and taken to the medical centre, where he was thankfully declared fit.

2022 British Grand Prix: Zhou Guanyu conscious but taken away in ambulance following huge crash at race start

Irvine quick on the scene after Burti’s crash

In the early stages of the 2001 Belgian Grand Prix, Luciano Burti’s Prost clipped the back of Eddie Irvine’s Jaguar through Blanchimont, causing the Brazilian to run off the track at high speed and crash into a tyre wall.

Irvine’s car was also heavily damaged by the impact but, after stepping out of his Jaguar close to the incident, the Northern Irishman dashed over to assist the marshals in clearing the tyre wall as they tried to rescue Burti.

The Prost driver was subsequently taken to a local hospital after being removed from the car in what would prove to be his final Formula 1 race, though he did return as a test driver for Ferrari between 2002 and 2004.

Team mates for 2001, Eddie Irvine(GBR) and Luciano Burti(BRA) Japanese GP, Suzuka, 8 October 2000 — Irvine was quick on the scene to help his former Jaguar team mate Burti following his crash at the 2001 Belgian Grand Prix

Collins’ generous gift to Fangio in title bid

Peter Collins impressed Enzo Ferrari both on and off the track when he joined his team in 1956, with the Briton making the effort to learn Italian and adapt to the culture. In terms of his results, Collins delivered back-to-back victories at the Belgian and French Grands Prix during his debut season.

This meant that, entering into the closing round of the campaign at Monza, Collins was in contention to win his first World Championship. Also in the running was fellow Scuderia driver Juan Manuel Fangio, seeking his third consecutive title and fourth overall.

Fangio’s chances looked to be over when he was forced to retire from the Italian Grand Prix with steering issues. But with more than half of the race remaining – and this being an era where drivers were permitted to hand their cars over to team mates – Collins generously gave his car to Fangio, allowing the Argentinian to finish second and earn enough points to clinch the championship.

AUTODROMO NAZIONALE MONZA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 02: Juan Manuel Fangio during the Italian GP at — Fangio clinched the fourth of his fifth titles in 1956 thanks to the help of team mate Collins

Several drivers help Lauda after horror accident

Just two laps into the 1976 German Grand Prix, Niki Lauda suffered a heavy crash that caused his Ferrari to burst into flames in the middle of the track. The approaching Guy Edwards in the Hesketh managed to avoid Lauda’s car, but Brett Lunger and Harald Ertl both hit the Ferrari.

All three drivers subsequently stopped to help at the scene, as did Wolf’s Arturo Merzario, who was credited for reaching into the cockpit amidst the fire to undo Lauda’s safety belts. Lauda was eventually extricated from the smouldering wreckage before being transferred to hospital, having suffered first to third degree burns, scorched lungs from inhaling fumes and several broken bones.

Remarkably Lauda made a comeback to the sport just six weeks later and only just missed out on winning the World Championship, having opted to withdraw from the season finale in Japan due to torrential rain.

The title instead went to his friend and rival James Hunt, who said of his victory: “Quite honestly, I wanted to win the championship and I felt I deserved it. But I also felt Niki deserved to win the championship, and I just wish we could have shared it.”

(L to R): Arturo Merzario (ITA) Wolf-Williams; a marshal; Harald Ertl (AUT) Hesketh; and Brett — Merzario, a marshal, Ertl and Lunger are pictured with their medals for their help in rescuing Lauda, while Edwards also earned a Queen's Gallantry Medal

Hill lends Siffert a rain visor

Graham Hill had enjoyed a good start to the 1968 season, winning two of the opening three races which included victory at Monaco, a track that the Briton was famed for his success at.

However, during Round 6 at France’s Rouen-Les-Essarts Circuit – an event marred by the tragic death of Jo Schlesser following a crash on Lap 2 – Hill retired his Lotus on Lap 14 due to an issue with his car.

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His team mate Jo Siffert was still in the running, though, and the Swiss racer later stopped to allow Hill to give him his rain visor to help with driving against the spray on track, with Siffert going on to finish the race in P11. The moment between Hill and Siffert has since become an iconic image in motorsport history.

1968 French Grand Prix. Rouen-les-Essarts, France. 5-7 July 1968. Graham Hill (Lotus 49 Ford) who — Hill was on hand to give Lotus team mate Siffert his visor during the 1968 French Grand Prix

Purley’s bravery after Williamson’s crash

Perhaps one of the bravest acts witnessed during Formula 1 history is that of David Purley, who tried to rescue fellow driver Roger Williamson when the latter suffered a horrifying fiery accident at the 1973 Dutch Grand Prix.

Williamson’s March had overturned and gone up in flames after crashing on Lap 9. Purley witnessed the incident and abandoned his own race as he rushed to the scene and tried to turn the car upright as well as attempting to extinguish the flames.

Tragically Williamson lost his life in the accident, but Purley’s courage was recognised when he was later awarded the George Medal for his brave actions that day.