Austrian Grand Prix 1987 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Nigel Mansell survived one of Formula 1's most terrifying accidents to claim victory at the Osterreichring, after qualifying saw him suffer a massive 200mph crash that miraculously left him shaken but uninjured. The Briton walked away from the wreckage and drove brilliantly in the race, controlling the Austrian Grand Prix from the front while teammate Nelson Piquet followed him home in second. Teo Fabi secured a surprise podium for Benetton, capitalizing on attrition among faster machinery.

The Austrian Grand Prix became infamous for Mansell's qualifying crash, where his Williams suffered a tire failure at one of Formula 1's fastest corners and barrel-rolled violently into the barriers. His escape was miraculous - the car disintegrating around him but the survival cell remaining intact. That he returned to race the next day demonstrated extraordinary courage and determination. His victory, following such a traumatic experience, showcased the mental strength that made him one of Formula 1's most formidable competitors. The crash prompted renewed safety discussions and highlighted the dangers drivers faced in the turbo era's 1,000+ horsepower monsters.