What should have been a routine pitstop for Jos Verstappen became one of Formula 1’s most dramatic moments.
In 1994, during the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, Benetton driver Jos Verstappen pulled into the pits for refueling. But the expected quick stop turned terrifying when fuel sprayed out and ignited on the hot car, engulfing it in flames.
Captured live on TV and famously photographed, the incident is etched into F1 history. Key figures from that day, including Verstappen, pit crew member Paul Seaby, and photographer Steven Tee, recall the chaotic moments.
Verstappen described how he opened his visor for air as he halted. “Then I saw the fluid coming,” he said. “Everything went up in flames, it was suddenly dark… I couldn’t breathe. I had to struggle to get out.”
Seaby, who handled the right front wheel, remembered his back getting drenched with fuel. “I thought it was water at first,” he said. “Then it ignited. I just took flight into the garage.”
Tee, who worked for Benetton, recounted, “I was snapping away, noticed fuel spilling, then a big orange ball. Mechanics were running, some on fire. I kept shooting.” The fire, extinguished in seconds, left the Benetton crew in shock. They rushed to treat burns and prepare for Schumacher’s next stop, which eventually wasn’t needed due to his retirement.
Verstappen’s immediate reaction involved water and cream on his face and a hospital visit. “Mentally, I had no problems dealing with it,” he reflected.
Seaby also recalled the frenzy. “We were splashing water on our faces, and once Michael retired, we focused on cooling our burns. Despite the chaos, there were no lasting physical damages.”
The film developed overnight in London revealed Tee’s remarkable shot of Seaby engulfed in flames, capturing a moment now described as looking “like a still from a movie.” Tee noted, “Without the photo, it could’ve been forgotten. It’s a constant reminder.”
Verstappen noted the lasting impact of the fire. “It’s what most people remember me for,” he admitted. Despite no permanent damage, he sometimes feels a burn on his face when drinking wine. Seaby, too, experienced minor lingering effects.
The infamous photo, frequently revisited, underscores the incident’s place in F1 lore. As Seaby humorously mentioned, “My mother-in-law had that picture of me on fire on her wall.”
Thirty years on, the horrifying yet iconic image of the 1994 German Grand Prix fire remains a vivid reminder of the dangers in Formula 1.
