Often times, when we sit glued to our seats watching the Formula 1 racers do their clever and insane maneuvers competing for the ultimate title, deep down in our heart of hearts, secretly, we all wish to see someone crash. Be it a minor crash or a serious pileup, the thrill and intensity of the sport gives us an adrenaline rush that is unparalleled. But what we do not realize is that as spectacular and breathtaking as a crash looks to the audience, it also brings indescribable pain and suffering to those involved in the crash.

During the 60+ year history of the elite sport, a total of 24 drivers have lost their lives on the racetrack. Most of these occurred during the early history of the cup, primarily due to the inferior safety measures and lower quality of the racing vehicles. However, developments in both the fields have helped us arrest the death toll to only two deaths in the last 25 years. Check out this list of the craziest crashes in the history of Formula 1.

1. Chain Crash (Spa-Francorchamps, 1998 August 30)

This is one of the most spectacular-looking crashes in the history of Formula 1. With several car tyres raining all around the racetrack, this one truly takes the cake in craziness. This is simply our favorite because it involves the most number of race cars, and yet fortunately, none of the drivers sustained any serious injuries. The crash took place on August 30th, 1998 at the Spa-Francorchamps. The accident occurred shortly after the race began and the lower speed can be attributed to the miraculous escape of the drivers. The race started off in the rain without a safety car. Shortly after the race began, David Coulthard skidded and spun, and the drivers behind him panicked and started to brake. The result was a huge chain pileup resulting in 16 crashed vehicles.

2. Gilles Villeneuve (Zolder, 1982 May 8)

The Canadian driver Gilles Villeneuve was one of the popular drivers in the history of Formula 1. Although he never won a world title, in his short career he won 6 times. He came closest to the title when he finished second in 1979 behind his teammate Jody Scheckter. The Canadian met his doom at the 1982 Belgian grand prix. During the qualifications, he was falling behind French driver Didier Pironi. At the end of the qualifying day he tried to make his best time with used tyres. Villeneuve made contact with Jochen Mass‘s car, who was driving slower, finishing the qualifications. The Ferrari was lifted off into the air. The most shocking overturning in the history of Formula 1 followed. Villeneuve was catapulted out from his vehicle and died at the hospital because of a broken neck injury.

3. Niki Lauda (Nurburgring, 1976 August 1)

The event took place at the 22.8 km long “Green Hell” race track in Nurburgring. Infamous for its many tricky corners and the greenery all around it, the track truly lived up to its nickname. The reigning world champion from Austria, Niki Lauda was leading in the championship. Having lost considerable time in the pit to change tires due to some rain, Lauda sped away, unaware of the doom awaiting him at the second corner. He lost control in turn Bergwerk and consequently crashed into the wall and caught fire. The car bounced back to the racetrack where it was hit by fellow drivers Brend Lunger and Herald Ertl. With the help of Guy Edwards, they were able to rescue Lauda from his burning car and save his life. The Austrian missed two races and eventually lost the title to James Hunt for just one point. Nevertheless he finished his glowing career with a total of three world champion titles in 1975, 1977 and 1984.

4. Ayrton Senna (Imola, 1994 May 1)

The race weekend of ’94 is considered as one of the worst ever. Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger died, and Rubens Barrichello almost fatally crashed during the qualifications. The weekend also saw the death of one of the best drivers in Formula 1 ever.

The three times world champion met his doom in 7th lap of San Marino Grand Prix. Shortly before Senna’s accident, the safety car had to leave the track because of the JJ Leht and Pedro Lamy crash. Senna left the racetrack at around 310 km/h and crashed into the concrete wall at 218 km/h. Senna survived the crash with the concrete, but the hit to his head by the front right tyre with the attached suspension piece proved fatal.

5. Gerhard Berger (Imola, 1989 April 23)

Five years earlier to the Ayrton Senna crash, Austrian Gerhard Berger crashed during the 4th lap at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola. He was driving for Ferrari when the crash occurred. Berger lost control of his car and crashed into the wall so fast that he did not even get a chance to brake. Eventhough the vehicle caught fire immediately, due to the quick intervention of the rescue crew Berger was able to walk out of the crash with only a few scratches.