Sunday 8th September 1996

Michael Schumacher sent the Tifosi delirious by winning the Italian Grand Prix and ending a seven-year wait for Ferrari on its home patch. After a dominant season for Williams, Damon Hill could have sealed the drivers’ title and he duly took pole position ahead of team-mate Jacques Villeneuve, Schumacher starting from third. Hill emerged in the lead after the opening lap but only after re-passing a fast-starting Jean Alesi. Even the assembled Tifosi expected another Williams romp but exiting the chicane on lap six, Hill clipped the tyre barriers and spun into retirement. It left Schumacher to pick up the pieces and begin the celebrations.