Records of Grand Prix races from 1990 through 2013 register 1,256 accidents, including collisions and spin-offs, involving 169 drivers. Typically, drivers enrolled in 33 Grand Prix during 3 seasons and were involved — as originators or as victims — in an average of 2 accidents (the red line in the chart represents the average index).

The greater champions are not necessarily daredevils. Nelson Piquet, sixth ranked world champion, is an extraordinarily non-accident prone driver — cautious, lucky or both. If one considers the ratio of accidents per number of races and make Michael Schumacher's performance equal to 100, Piquet has an index of 29, or 3 times safer than the German champion. Other such great champions as Räikkönen, Alonso, Button, Prost or Vettel are also safe drivers. The opposite end is populated mostly by drivers who were caught in numerous accidents but did not collect many podium position. Possible reasons are recklessness, skills shortage, lower technical assistance level, or plain accident-proneness.

Sources: see Formula 1

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