Erik Comas’ perfect climb

Erik Comas, born in the Drôme on September 28, 1963, had an impressive career in the promotional formulas: Volant ELF in 1984, he became French Formula Renault champion in 1986, French F3 champion in 1987, then international F3000 champion in 1990… Comas had a perfect trajectory which led him to Formula 1 in 1991, as he was hired by Ligier.

Presented as one of the great hopes of Formula 1, he struggled at the wheel of the uncompetitive Ligier-Lamborghini, but was far from ridiculous against his experienced teammate Thierry Boutsen. In 1992, Comas showed real progress at the wheel of the Ligier, now powered by the Renault engine, and managed to score points on several occasions.

However, his upward trajectory was almost brought to a sudden halt when he suffered a very violent accident during practice for the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix. He went off track at the hyper-fast Blanchimont curve and was struck in the head by a wheel upon impact with the barrier. Comas lay unconscious in his car, which bounced in the middle of the track.

The tragedy was averted thanks to Ayrton Senna. The Brazilian stopped his McLaren and risked his life to the middle of the track to activate the Ligier’s engine kill switch and prevent it from catching fire. Erik Comas would later say: “That day, Ayrton Senna saved my life.” Erik Comas then moved to the Larrousse F1 team, but that is another story.