Image Unavailable, Please Login Remembering Roger Williamson, tragically and needlessly lost 52 years ago today following an accident in the F1 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. STP March team, Williamson suffered a suspected tyre failure at the high speed esses near Tunner Oost at the rear of the circuit, and crashed heavily into the barrier on the outside of the track. His rebounded across the track, flipped upside and slid along the tarmac, coming to rest near the armco on the inside. The petrol tank ruptured and was ignited, starting a fire that quickly engulfed the car. The race wasn't stopped, merely yellow flagged locally - this would prove critical. Fellow racer David Purley stopped his car and rushed to the aid of Williamson, who was not seriously hurt but was trapped in his car. Other drivers saw Purley waving them down to stop but assumed him to be the driver of the crashed car. As the remaining drivers drove past they were unaware that Williamson was still in his inverted, burning March 731. Purley attempted to right the car and pull Williamson out with minimal assistance from the track marshals who were not wearing flame retardant overalls and were unable to help due to the intense heat. The sole fire truck at the circuit arrived a full 8 minutes later from the main straight - by then it was too late. At age 25, Williamson had died of asphyxiation. A blanket was thrown over the burnt-out wreck with Williamson still inside, and incredibly the race carried on. Jackie Stewart took victory for Tyrrell ahead of team-mate Francois Cevert home for a Tyrrell 1-2, while James Hunt took his and Hesketh's first podium (more on that later). The result was immaterial - all thoughts were with Williamson. Purley was later awarded the George Medal.
The '70s were a bad time for young British F1 drivers. Consider Piers Courage, Tony Brise and Tom Pryce as well.
