A multi-car pile-up and the most unlikely points finisher: The bonkers 2002 Australian GP revisited

This is the latest feature in our ‘F1 Flashbacks’ series, where we revisit iconic, dramatic and famous moments over the years in Formula 1.

Twenty years ago today, the 2002 Formula 1 season got underway at Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia and it provided us with arguably the race of that particular campaign and potentially of many others.

The 2002 season will be mostly remembered for Michael Schumacher and Ferrari’s incredible dominance as the German equalled Juan Manuel Fangio’s record haul of 5 world championships and, given his supremacy, a fair few of the Grands Prix that season were a little on the dull side.

The campaign began, though, in dramatic fashion with a multi-car pile-up at the beginning and an unlikely, but hugely popular, points finisher at the end.

Things kicked off in Melbourne in spectacular style at turn one of lap one, with Ralf Schumacher colliding with Rubens Barrichello and heading airborne and off into the gravel trap.

The chaos that ensued saw Giancarlo Fisichella tangle with the Sauber cars of Nick Heidfeld and Felipe Massa, with Jenson Button, Olivier Panis and Allan McNish all caught in the fray.

Thankfully, no-one was hurt and David Coulthard led behind the Safety Car as the clean-up procedure began.

There are dramatic starts – and then there's the 2002 Australian Grand PrixEIGHT cars eliminated at the first corner