Tom Pryce: The F1 talent killed by a fire extinguisher

Formula One's Welsh wizard

Formula One's Welsh wizard, A Shadow contender, A fire and a fatal response, The first death, Fatality number two, A dead man driving, Shock waves, A preventable disaster

Tom Pryce was a gifted young Welsh racing driver in the 1970s, quickly gaining recognition for his raw speed and smooth car control. He became the first and only Welsh driver to win a Formula 1 race weekend by taking the 1975 Race of Champions at Brands Hatch. Information sourced from BBC Sport, Motorsport Magazine and FIA historical archives.

A Shadow contender

Formula One's Welsh wizard, A Shadow contender, A fire and a fatal response, The first death, Fatality number two, A dead man driving, Shock waves, A preventable disaster

Driving for the lesser-funded Shadow team, Pryce consistently outperformed expectations. He scored 19 career points in an era dominated by mechanical failures and driver attrition, cementing his reputation as a future winner.

A fire and a fatal response

Formula One's Welsh wizard, A Shadow contender, A fire and a fatal response, The first death, Fatality number two, A dead man driving, Shock waves, A preventable disaster

When Pryce's teammate Renzo Zorzi pulled over with a minor engine fire, two marshals ran across the track with extinguishers to assist. Neither had radios nor formal training.

The first death

Formula One's Welsh wizard, A Shadow contender, A fire and a fatal response, The first death, Fatality number two, A dead man driving, Shock waves, A preventable disaster

At over 170 mph, Pryce's car struck 19-year-old Jansen Van Vuuren, one of the marshals, killing him instantly. Pryce had no time to react and was unsighted due to a crest on the straight.

Fatality number two

Formula One's Welsh wizard, A Shadow contender, A fire and a fatal response, The first death, Fatality number two, A dead man driving, Shock waves, A preventable disaster

Van Vuuren's 40-pound fire extinguisher was flung into the cockpit by the force of impact. It struck Pryce in the head, killing him instantly and violently removing his helmet.

A dead man driving

Formula One's Welsh wizard, A Shadow contender, A fire and a fatal response, The first death, Fatality number two, A dead man driving, Shock waves, A preventable disaster

Pryce's Shadow DN8 continued down the straight, unsteered, until it collided with Jacques Laffite's car at the next corner. Only then did marshals and drivers realize what had occurred.

Shock waves

Formula One's Welsh wizard, A Shadow contender, A fire and a fatal response, The first death, Fatality number two, A dead man driving, Shock waves, A preventable disaster

The incident was broadcast live, horrifying viewers worldwide. Fellow drivers and team members were visibly shaken, many learning of the tragedy only after the race ended.

A preventable disaster

Formula One's Welsh wizard, A Shadow contender, A fire and a fatal response, The first death, Fatality number two, A dead man driving, Shock waves, A preventable disaster

The lack of safety protocols and communication contributed heavily to the tragedy. The marshals had no radio communication, and there were no barriers or warnings on the straight.

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