Remembering John Watson's fiery crash at Monza

On Lap 20 of the Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza on Sept. 13, 1981, John Watson lost control of his McLaren MP4/1 coming out of the second Lesmo. The car spun backwards into the wall where the impact ripped it in half, spitting the rear end of the McLaren back across the track while Watson remained inside the cockpit on the right-hand side of the circuit.

Watson was fortunately able to escape the wreck unharmed, thanks to the fact that the McLaren MP4/1 was the first car to feature a carbon fiber composite monocoque, a brainchild of John Barnard. Not soon afterwards, many other teams began copying the idea, and today it has became universal throughout the series and has undoubtedly help save many drivers lives in Formula One and other motor racing divisions around the globe.

Watson would be back in action at the Canadian Grand Prix two weeks later, where he finished second.

Looking much better! John Watson's McLaren MP4/1-Ford Cosworth in one piece at the 1981 Italian Grand Prix.