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The 1999 Le Mans race would become infamous for one of the most spectacular and terrifying moments in motorsport history - the Mercedes CLR’s incredible aerial acrobatics. What began as a promising factory effort by Mercedes-Benz quickly devolved into a nightmare scenario that would permanently alter the landscape of sports car racing, capturing the imagination of racing fans worldwide through a now-legendary gif that would be shared across the internet for decades to come.
The Mercedes CLR: A Prototype with Fatal Flaws
Mercedes-Benz entered the 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans with high expectations, bringing three Mercedes-Benz CLR prototype racing cars to the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe. The team had invested significant resources into the program, performing nearly 22,000 miles of testing before the event. However, the cars harbored a critical aerodynamic weakness that would soon become catastrophically apparent.
The First Warning Signs
The initial red flag came during qualifying when Mark Webber’s car became airborne for the first time. Despite this alarming incident, Mercedes made some hasty modifications and decided to continue with their racing program. Key modifications included:
- Consultation with F1 aerodynamicist Adrian Newey
- Adding front nose dive planes to increase downforce
- Instructing drivers to avoid closely following other cars
The Catastrophic Race Day
On race day, the unthinkable happened. Mark Webber’s car flipped dramatically during the morning warm-up, becoming airborne and landing upside down. This was the second such incident for Webber, and it should have been a clear signal to withdraw from the race. Instead, Mercedes made some quick adjustments and pressed forward.
Peter Dumbreck’s Incredible Survival
Nearly four hours into the race, Peter Dumbreck experienced the most spectacular crash. While battling near the race leaders, his CLR suddenly became airborne, vaulting over the circuit’s safety barriers. The car somersaulted multiple times before crashing into a nearby forest, coming to rest in an open field.
🏎️ Note: Dumbreck's crash was so severe that French authorities even gave him a sobriety test, despite the incident occurring at nearly 190 mph during a professional racing event.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The incidents led Mercedes to make an unprecedented decision. They not only withdrew their remaining car from the event but completely canceled the entire CLR racing program. The accidents prompted significant changes in racing car design regulations and circuit safety protocols.
Why did the Mercedes CLR flip?
+The car's aerodynamic design created lift at high speeds, particularly when following other cars closely. Large front and rear overhangs, combined with insufficient downforce, made the car extremely unstable.
How many times did the Mercedes CLR become airborne?
+At least three confirmed incidents: twice with Mark Webber during qualifying and warm-up, and once with Peter Dumbreck during the race.
What happened to Mercedes after the incident?
+Mercedes withdrew from sports car racing entirely, canceling the CLR program and focusing on other motorsport disciplines like Formula One.
The incredible tale of the Mercedes CLR remains a stark reminder of the razor-thin margins between innovation and disaster in motorsport. What began as a cutting-edge prototype became a cautionary tale that would be remembered through countless replays and that now-iconic gif capturing one of the most remarkable moments in racing history.