November 12, 1995: Adelaide’s final race and Gianni Morbidelli’s first and only F1 podium. Gianni Morbidelli scored his first and only Formula 1 podium at the chaotic 1995 Australian Grand Prix.

Exactly thirty years ago, on November 12, 1995, the Australian Grand Prix marked many “last times” in Formula 1 history, while also producing surprising results and memorable moments, one of which went in favor of Italian driver Gianni Morbidelli. That day, the Pesaro-born driver, starting from 13th on the grid in the Hart-powered Footwork, managed to finish in third place after a chaotic race full of retirements and incidents — including a particularly dramatic crash during practice sessions.

A weekend of farewells and accidents

The final weekend held in Australia on Adelaide’s street circuit began with a violent impact by Mika Hakkinen, who lost control of his McLaren on a straight due to a tire puncture. Hakkinen was rescued and hospitalized, remaining in a coma for two days, but he fortunately recovered and returned to the track the following year, eventually winning two World Championships in 1998 and 1999. The weekend also marked the final race for several drivers, including Michael Schumacher’s last Grand Prix with Benetton — the team with which he had won his 1994 title in Adelaide and the ongoing 1995 season — before announcing his move to Ferrari for 1996. Additionally, Ferrari competed for the last time with a V12 engine, closing an era of these engines in Formula 1.

Qualifying drama and race chaos

Michael Schumacher qualified third, just ahead of the Ferrari duo of Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi, who were also racing their last event with the Scuderia before joining Benetton in 1996. Damon Hill claimed pole position, with David Coulthard alongside him on the front row. In a dramatic turn, Coulthard made a critical error while leading the race: entering the pits too fast, he collided with the barriers and retired, leaving Hill in command and never relinquishing the lead. Meanwhile, behind Hill, the battle for the podium experienced a series of twists and turns.

Both Michael Schumacher and Jean Alesi had to retire from their fight for second place after a collision, temporarily handing the spot to Berger. However, Berger’s hopes of finishing on a high note with Ferrari ended due to engine failure. Heinz-Harald Frentzen in the Sauber briefly moved into second but retired later with a gearbox problem. Johnny Herbert’s Benetton and Eddie Irvine in his final race for Jordan also suffered mechanical failures, leaving the podium wide open.

Morbidelli’s historic podium

Incredibly, Olivier Panis finished second in the Ligier, one lap behind Hill, while Gianni Morbidelli climbed to third place, securing his first and only Formula 1 podium — as well as the first and only for the Footwork team. In addition, Pedro Lamy in the Minardi scored his first and only championship point by finishing sixth. Damon Hill finished a full two laps ahead of second place, reminiscent of the 1969 Spanish Grand Prix, won by Jackie Stewart over Bruce McLaren. With only eight drivers reaching the finish line, the 1995 Australian Grand Prix remains one of the races with the fewest finishers in Formula 1 history.