The opening race of the 2001 F1 season took place in Australia, with Albert Park kicking off the first of 17 races scheduled for that year.
It would be another year of success for Michael Schumacher who triumphed to take his fourth F1 title with relative ease.
The season got off to a rocky start, however, as a serious accident involving Michael’s brother Ralf and 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve resulted in the death of a marshal.
The Canadian was caught out while following Schumacher on the run into Turn 3. He was flipped upside down and skated through the gravel.
The menacing-looking incident saw both drivers walk away unscathed.
However, it became clear later on that something more sinister had occurred as a wheel from Villeneuve’s BAR struck marshal Graham Beveridge. Beveridge was killed instantly while 11 spectators were injured from flying debris.
An investigation into the incident was later launched as answers were sought over how such a tragic accident could have occurred.
On February 8, 2001 – 23 years ago today, the findings were presented. They concluded that the accident could have been prevented.
The wheel that detached from Villeneuve’s car flew through a hole in the fencing, where Beveridge had reportedly been instructed to stand.
The crash was deemed a “freak accident” and in the aftermath, alterations were made to the wheel tethers to make them stronger and prevent the likelihood of the tyre ripping away from the car in the event of an accident.
It was also deemed the hole that was present in the fencing did not necessarily need to be there.
Beveridge remains the latest marshal to pass away as a direct result of an F1 crash impact, however in 2013, Mark Robinson lost his life at the Canadian Grand Prix when he was run over by a recovery vehicle that was collecting Esteban Gutierrez’s stricken Sauber.
The incidents involving marshals serve as a reminder of how deadly the sport can be.
Still, through the duties they carry out during race events, they sit as the biggest unsung heroes of F1.
