ON THIS DAY: SCHUMACHER’S STUNNING DEBUT ENDS EARLY AT SPA

Thirty-five years ago today, Michael Schumacher announced his arrival in Formula 1 by slotting Bertrand Gachot's Jordan seventh on the Spa grid—then watched his debut race end before the first corner when the clutch died pulling away from the lights.

The qualifying performance electrified the paddock. Schumacher, a last-minute replacement, put the Jordan exactly where it belonged at the fast Belgian circuit. His teammate Andrea de Cesaris proved the car had genuine pace, hunting down Ayrton Senna for the lead until his Ford-Cosworth V8 expired.

That retirement handed Senna a crucial 10-point haul. Title rival Nigel Mansell also failed to finish, widening Senna's championship margin at a pivotal stage of the season. Schumacher's clutch failure meant his race lasted one lap. But the qualifying lap—seventh in a Jordan, first time out—told everyone what was coming.