Ganging up

In the 1956 French Grand Prix the Ferrari team - Fangio, Collins, Castelotti and De Portago were reported as having ganged up on Harry Schell in a Vanwall, with Harry eventually dropping back. Was this dropping back because the intimidation was becoming dangerous, or did the Vanwall develop a fault or was Harry just getting out of his depth? If it was intimidation then just how vicious or serious had it become?

Additionally, in the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix Brabham and Hulme worked as a team to hold back Jimmy Clark in a Lotus. Was this hindrance done delicately, closing the door almost apologetically, with either one or the other sort of accidentally always just happening to be in the wrong place as Jimmy tried to scrape past or was it full on, no holds barred blocking the way. (Can it be assumed that the partnership of Brabham and Hulme working together would be as formidable as any team pairing in the sport insofar as mutual support in discouraging a rival is concerned?)

Can anyone add or respond to the above queries or suggest other examples of extreme teamwork in deterring an opponent.

Rosberg employed some rather aggressive blocking tactics against Senna at Brands Hatch 1985, allowing Mansell to cruise away at his leisure.

Originally posted by St.Hubbins
Rosberg employed some rather aggressive blocking tactics against Senna at Brands Hatch 1985, allowing Mansell to cruise away at his leisure.

Yes -- Keke chopped Senna in retaliation for ruining his race, and in the confusion Mansell was able to pass both of them and go on to win the race.

A few years ago (2000?) Michael Schumacher's Ferrari developed a fault while running 2nd in the Spanish GP. He was caught by his brother in a Williams running 3rd and held him up, allowing his Ferrari teammate Barrichello in 4th to also catch up. When Ralf tried to pass Michael around the outside of a corner, his brother drifted wide to allow Barrichello a free run up the inside and past both of them.

Afterwards Ralf was not too happy (when is he?) - his brother had put his employer ahead of family!

Originally posted by mikedeering
Afterwards Ralf was not too happy (when is he?) - his brother had put his employer ahead of family!

Contra Al Unser Jr in the 1983 Indy 500, who, whilst running for Rookie of the Year late on, took time out from his busy "skedule" to block Tom Sneva from lapping him and thereupon catching his dad, who was in the lead. Sneva eventually got around and won.

If you want to see the 1956 French GP fight for the lead, it was captured, most wonderfully, at length on film by the BP film crew, and currently available on DVD/video

http://www.terrifics...esults.asp?id=2

USGP 1971 jackie stewart did block shamelessely fitttipaldi for many laps to protect Cevert . its normal,team tactic are as old as motorsport .

The battle between Schell and the Ferrari team, Reims 1956, is well described, also the Tony
Vandervell anger, by DSJ in his book Vanwall (written with Cyril Posthumus).

Originally posted by St.Hubbins
Rosberg employed some rather aggressive blocking tactics against Senna at Brands Hatch 1985, allowing Mansell to cruise away at his leisure.

Well, that's a small part of the story certainly. Did you see the whole race?