1995 San Marino Grand Prix

Previous race

Hill won in Argentina after Coulthard led from pole before his throttle failed on lap six. A mass start-line collision — involving Alesi, Salo, Herbert, Barrichello, Katayama, Panis, and Martini — caused a red flag after one lap; six drivers took spare cars for the restart. Schumacher finished third, closing the gap to Hill after Brazil.

Between-race developments

The FIA appeal hearing on April 13 reinstated Schumacher and Coulthard in the Brazil race results. Both drivers recover their original finishing positions, though Benetton and Williams still do not receive Constructors’ Championship points for that race; both teams were additionally fined $200,000.

Entrants

Nigel Mansell makes his McLaren debut. He missed the opening two races while the team built a wider MP4/10B monocoque to accommodate him. This is also his first Grand Prix start since winning the 1994 season finale in Adelaide for Williams.

Milestones

Before the race, all drivers will observe a one-minute silence in memory of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna, who died at this circuit one year ago.

Track changes

The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari has been extensively modified following the 1994 fatalities. New chicanes have been built at the Tamburello and Villeneuve corners. The Acque Minerali chicane has been removed and replaced by a right-hand corner. Rivazza has been eased, and the final corner has been simplified to a single chicane rather than the previous fifth-gear sweep.

Practice

Schumacher secured pole position in Friday qualifying after an intense session. Berger came agonisingly close — just 0.008 seconds separated his Ferrari from the Benetton. Hill started fourth. On Saturday, the track was hotter and slower, and none of the front runners improved their times.

Race day has brought steady rain, forcing teams into a difficult tyre decision.