1995 San Marino Grand Prix

San Marino Grand Prix – Imola, 30 April 1995 – 63 laps of 3.04 mile circuit (191.507 miles)

1: Damon Hill – Williams FW17-Renault V10 – 1h 41m 42.552s
2: Jean Alesi – Ferrari 412 T2-Ferrari V12 – 1h 42m 01.062s
3: Gerhard Berger – Ferrari 412 T2-Ferrari V12 – 1h 42m 25.668s
4: David Coulthard – Williams FW17-Renault V10 – 1h 42m 34.442s
5: Mika Hakkinen – McLaren MP4/10-Mercedes V10 – 62 laps
6: Heinz-Harald Frentzen – Sauber C14-Ford Zetec-R V8 – 62 laps

Snippets

The heavily revised Imola track is praised by the drivers, although Michael Schumacher admits he would have preferred to race elsewhere this season. The drivers observe a one minute’s silence in memory of the death of colleagues Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna 12 months earlier.

Ferrari debuts and evolutionary version of its V121 engine, while Renault introduces its RS7A V10.

Jean Alesi sparks tifosi hopes of a victory by heading the timesheets in both acclimatisation sessions.

Andrea Montermini is not fit to drive on Thursday in the wake of an appendix operation. He does take to the cockpit for qualifying, dashing Emmanuel Collar’s hopes of a GP debut for Pacific.

Having improved his Benetton’s handling in Jerez testing, Michael Schumacher gets the best of a battle for pole which sees the top five cars covered by just five tenths of a second.

Both Schumacher and Elf are criticised by the FIA President Max Mosley for having adopted a ‘childisih’ stance over the Brazilian GP controversies.

Ligier owner Flavio Briatore is cleared by the FIA of funning a ‘Benetton copy’, but Minardi instigates legal action against the team for allegedly swiping its Mugen-Honda engine deal.

Nigel Mansell makes his long-awaited debut for McLaren, and demonstrates his commitment both on-track and off. “To say I’ve been pleasantly surprised by his attitude is an understatement,” admits Ron Dennis. The former world champion qualifies 10th and, after tangling with Eddie Irvine, finishes in the same position.

The top five all elect to start a wet/dry race on rain tyres. Schumacher leads early on, but crashes heavily immediately after switching to slicks.

Gerhard Berger’s hopes of victory vanish when he stalls at a pit stop after 21 laps.

Damon Hill takes over the lead and, in spite of heavy pressure from team-mate David Coulthard and from Alesi, is never headed thereafter. The result moves him to the top of the points table for the first time in his career.

Coulthard spins in pursuit of the sister Williams. Later, he incurs a 10s stop/go penalty for speeding in the pit lane, and finishes fourth.

Ferraris finish second and third, Alesi branding Coulthard “ignorant” after the two clash at Rivazza.

Another disappointing weekend for Jordan. Eddie Irvine finishes only eighth. It is nevertheless the team’s first finish of the year.