Tragedy on the track

With the Robert Wickens incident in mind, here is a look at some of the biggest — and sometimes deadly — crashes in auto racing history.

JUSTIN WILSON

At the same track as Wickens’ crash three years ago, British driver Wilson was killed when he was hit in the head during the race by a piece of debris that had broken off from a crashed car.

The 37-year-old’s car then veered into a wall.

DALE EARNHARDT

On the final lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001, Earnhardt lost control of his car after he was tapped from behind, causing him to crash headon into a wall. Earnhardt was killed in the crash.

The 49-year-old’s teammate Michael Waltrip won the race and his son Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished second. Earnhardt won seven NASCAR Winston Cup championships and 76 Winston Cup races during his legendary career.

AYRTON SENNA

It was a national tragedy in Brazil. The government declared three days of mourning and millions showed up to watch as Senna’s coffin was driven to his home of Sao Paulo.

The three-time Formula 1 champion died after crashing into a concrete wall during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Italy. Despite his career being cut short at 34, he is still fifth all-time in Grand Prix wins.

GILLES VILLENEUVE

Canada lost one of its greatest drivers on May 8, 1982 at the Belgian Grand Prix

Villeneuve, from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., died in an Formula 1 crash with Jochen Mass on a cooldown lap, which sent Villeneuve’s Ferrari somersaulting through the air and flinging him into the catch fencing. He died of a fracture in his neck.

He won six Grand Prix races in his short career.