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Please note that the new Book about Mike Hawthorn (see top of page) features a detailed analysis of the Le Mans crash with many images

IMPORTANT
Note that several Wikipedia articles are grossly innacurate when depicting how the crash occurred at le Mans in 1955, particularly with regard to a diagram that appears showing Mike swerving in front of other cars. This depiction has been proved totally incorrect via film that exists of the crash (see stills below) - this shows him braking gradually after slowly moving over to the right of the track to head for the pits. Mike Hawthorn was later absolved of any responsibility for the crash.

Have you read both of our detailed Le Mans analysis sections before looking through here so that you have background to these images. In particular, Paul Frere in the 2nd part analyses the events leading up to the crash and, as the investigation at the time did, clears Mike Hawthorn of any blame over the incident despite others who clearly laid the blame on Mike.

Here is an extensive selection of images showing what happened during the fatal crash at Le Mans in 1955. It is fairly graphic in places. You can also watch the Video (requires RealPlayer) that the stills were derived from if you wish

You ought to have read both of our Le Mans sections before looking through here so that you have a good background to these images? In particular, Paul Frere in the 2nd part analyses the events leading up to the crash and, as the investigation at the time did, clears Mike Hawthorn of any blame over the incident despite others who clearly laid the blame on Mike.

More to come... The eight initial frames shown here are part of nearly 60 from the original film that clearly show Mike had pulled in to the right ready for the pits well in advance of needing to and that he did NOT make a sudden move that caused the following driver to swerve into the path of the Mercedes. We hope to be able to show all these frames soon and we also will make a video from them.

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