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Former F1 star Heinz-Harald Frentzen has revealed that Mercedes almost quit Formula 1 after Karl Wendlinger’s crash at the 1994 Monaco Grand Prix.
Former F1 star Heinz-Harald Frentzen disclosed that Mercedes almost pulled out of Formula 1 after Karl Wendlinger’s crash at the 1994 Monaco Grand Prix. Mercedes, a dominant name in Formula 1, had a scattered history in the sport until their return in 1994 as engine suppliers to Sauber after a long absence following the 1955 Le Mans tragedy. The disastrous incident involved Mercedes racer Pierre Levegh causing a catastrophic crash that claimed over 80 lives and led to bans on motorsport in several European countries.
The 1994 season was challenging for Mercedes, with safety concerns at the forefront after the tragic events at Imola involving Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna. Karl Wendlinger’s severe accident in Monaco further intensified these concerns, prompting Mercedes to consider exiting F1 if the outcome had been fatal. With Wendlinger sustaining a critical head injury, Mercedes took a cautious approach, withdrawing one car from the Monaco Grand Prix and resuming with Frentzen in the subsequent race.
Ultimately, Mercedes continued their involvement in F1, spearheaded by Norbert Haug, despite the close call in 1994. The incident with Wendlinger was a pivotal moment that almost led to Mercedes ending their presence in the sport, highlighting the significant impact of driver safety and tragic events on the decisions of major teams.
