Copyright dailystar
Ex-Formula One driver turned commentator Andrea de Adamich has died at the age of 84. The Italian driver represented Ferrari, McLaren, March, Surtees and Brabham in his career. He took part in 34 races between 1968 and 1973 – competing 12 times in the 1972 season and picked up six points in total – three apiece in 1972 and 1973. But he is perhaps most remembered for being part of the infamous 1973 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. British F1 legend Jackie Stewart, in his Tyrell, led at the end of the first lap, but there was carnage behind him after Jody Scheckter, in fourth, spun his McLaren going around the 160mph Woodcote corner, which featured barely any run-off area. Unsighted, a number of following cars careered into the South African while others crashed trying to take evasive action. Team members and media watching from the pit wall were sent jumping for cover as debris flew around them. In total, nine cars were caught up in one of the worst mass pile-ups in F1 history. De Adamich, who never raced in F1 again, was still in his Brabham with a broken knee and ankle. Thankfully, the approaching drivers reacted quickly, slamming on their brakes just in time to avoid a complete catastrophe. It took 30 minutes for de Adamich to be extracted from his car. Incredibly, he was the only driver to suffer serious injury. Even Scheckter, whose spin triggered the pile-up, escaped unharmed. If such an incident happened nowadays, a red flag would have been thrown on the spot, but F1 wasn’t a slick safety-orientated sport back then. Oblivious to the carnage that had taken place, Stewart and his immediate pursuers flew around Woodcote at the end of the second lap, only to be greeted by some yellow flags, amid a scene of carnage and numerous officials and marshals on the track. De Adamich retired the following year and became a respected motor sport journalist and TV pundit in his native Italy. However, racing proved to be an itch that needed to be scratched he twice entered the Le Mans 24 Hours. From 1978 through 2012 he hosted the TV sport program Grand Prix on Italia 1. He then became the vice-president of N.Technology, which prepares race cars for Alfa Romeo. In recognition of his contribution to sport and media, he was appointed “Commendatore” of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2022, one of the highest civilian honors in Italy. De Adamich is survived by his wife, who he married in a civil ceremony in January 2010.
