Graham Francis Beveridge (16 November 1948 – 4 March 2001) was a trackside marshal, who died at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix after he was struck by the flying wheel of Jacques Villeneuve's BAR, which flew through the safety fence. The incident was only shown on Australian digital television, where the race was shown in widescreen. The top three drivers were informed of his death before stepping out on the podium, and all three stood in sombre mood. No champagne was sprayed as a sign of respect to Beveridge and his family.
Death[]
On lap 4, Jacques Villeneuve ran into the back of Ralf Schumacher launching the BAR into the air toward the track-side concrete barriers, shedding wheels and bodywork as it cart-wheeled along the wall to a halt deep in the gravel trap. Schumacher spun into the same gravel trap after bottoming across the track and kerbs, with a missing rear wing and apparently compromised rear-left suspension, incapable of rejoining the race.
Tragically, one of the loose wheels hit 52-year-old marshal Beveridge and he was transferred to hospital, where he died. One of the cameras captured the moment that Beveridge was hit by the tyre.
Beveridge (circled) just before being hit by the wheel
He was the second marshal to die at a Grand Prix in less than six months, following Paolo Gislimberti's death at the 2000 Italian Grand Prix, and the last for 12 years, until Mark Robinson was killed at the 2013 Canadian Grand Prix. Thankfully, the reduction in deaths during Grands Prix can be attributed to improvements in human safety and driver protection.
Aftermath[]
The coroner at the inquest concluded that Beveridge's death was avoidable.