The 1980s were insane. Cars had turbochargers that exploded. Drivers crash-tested at 180 mph. Yet, only 10 drivers died that decade. Compare that to 30 in the 1970s. Why? Carbon fiber chassis.
The first carbon-fiber monocoque appeared in 1981. Suddenly, a car could take a massive hit and not crumple. Drivier John Watson walked away from a 1984 crash where his car split in half. He climbed out, fixed his hair, and gave an interview. Classic.
The last death (before Bianchi)
Between 1994 and 2014, we thought death was over. Senna’s death shocked the world into action. They added the HANS device, improved barriers, and made tracks stupidly wide. Zero driver deaths from 1995 to 2013. That’s 18 years of perfection.
Then Bianchi hit a tractor. A freak accident. The only fatality since then? None. We’ve now gone over 10 years without a death. That’s a record.
