The shortest race in Formula One history lasted only 14 laps before torrential rain and angry drivers forced officials to suspend and then abandon the Australian Grand Prix. The decision to start was disgraceful and put money ahead of safety and almost from the off visibility was a matter of yards. Nigel Mansell, running in second behind Ayrton Senna, admitted he was just hanging on the McLaren's brake lights until he hit a deep puddle and aquaplaned into a concrete wall. As the red flag came out seconds later, Mansell was awarded second place. Senna, who had already secured the world championship slammed the organisers. "The event should never have been allowed to start," he said. "I only elected to take the start because of the loyalty of my team which has done so much for me over the past three seasons - and because of our interest in the constructors' championship. It was understood that I would use my judgment to stop any time that I felt the conditions were impossible. But it was not a race, just a procession of people attempting to keep their cars on the roads." Mansell agreed, adding: "It was a wonder nobody was killed."
1968
Graham Hill completed his second world championship with victory at the Mexican Grand Prix, narrowly pushing Jackie Stewart into second place. Hill went into the weekend with a three-point lead over Stewart and the pair were head to head for the first third of the race, Stewart even leading from the third to the seventh lap, before he fell back to seventh with engine failure. "I had a lovely time," Hill said after his win. "The car went beautifully. I am very pleased to have won." Denny Hulme had a lucky escape when the suspension on his McLaren broke and he piled into a wall.
