The season was overshadowed by the terrible events at Imola when Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna were killed in separate accidents. After the Brazilian's death, and a serious accident to Karl Wendlinger at Monaco, traction control and other electronic driver aids were banned and hasty alterations were made at some circuits in an attempt to reduce speeds.

Michael Schumacher emerged as the man to inherit Senna's mantle as the man to beat and became Germany's first ever World Champion. In a riveting finale to the season the title was won in controversial circumstances at Adelaide. Schumacher, after hittingthe wall contrived to collide with his main rival Damon Hill ensured that the title was his by just a single point. Between them, the pair won fourteen of the sixteen races, leaving Gerhard Berger  (Ferrari) and Nigel Mansell (Williams) with just one win each.