Wild driver loses F1 licence after scary incident
While some driver are famous in F1 for their remarkable achievements, others have to deal with being known for unfortunate incidents and circumstances.
One such figure who falls into the latter category is Japanese driver Yuji Ide, who is today [Tuesday] celebrating his 50th birthday. We look back on his short stint in F1 which came to an end after just four races.
At the age of 31, Ide made his F1 debut at the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Paired with Takuma Sato at the Super Aguri team, Ide was significantly slower than his team-mate and failed to finish the first two races of the season.
In his third, which took place around Albert Park in Australia, he crossed the line in 13th place – albeit three laps down on winner Fernando Alonso and as the last classified runner.
Team boss Aguri Suzuki already began to suggest his seat would not be certain going forward if his performances behind the wheel did not improve.
But at the fourth race weekend of the season, things went from bad to worse for Ide.
On the opening lap of the San Marino Grand Prix, held at the famous Imola circuit, the Japanese driver drove Christijan Albers off the track. The Dutchman was left upside down in the gravel pit after barrel-rolling several times.
Albers’ car suffered significant damage and he retired from the race immediately, while Ide abandoned his efforts later on due to suspension problems. [There is a link to a video of the incident below].
The FIA make huge F1 super licence call
Ide was reprimanded by the stewards and given a warning. In addition, the FIA said he needed to gain more experience, a statement team boss Suzuki concurred with.
“I wish that I could have given Yuji more time in the car before the start of the season,” he said at the time. “But with the team being put together so rapidly we were unable to allow him the proper testing that he should have experienced.”
Super Aguri then decided to keep Ide on the sidelines for the European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, the fifth race of the year.
“We accept the advice offered by the FIA to allow Yuji to accrue the mileage he requires to improve in F1 during our testing days only,” the team said.
“I will continue to look after Yuji’s interests and support his continuing efforts within the team, including his path back to an F1 race seat.”
But things got worse for Super Aguri and Ide as the FIA Permit Office opted to revoke his super licence, ensuring he would not compete in any more F1 events that year.
Super Aguri responded to the decision by a statement that read: “It is with sadness and regret that the team accepts this decision, however, Aguri Suzuki shall continue to seek driving opportunities for Yuji and hopefully a path back into F1.”
But Ide would never return to F1. He was replaced by Franck Montagny who also was ousted before the end of the year in favour of Sakon Yamamoto.
Ide returned to Japan to continue his racing career, taking part in categories such as Formula Nippon and Super GT.
See the incident between Ide and Albers via this link.
