23 Seconds in the Flames: The OMP Gloves That Helped Protect Gerhard Berger at Imola
The Weight of History in Your Hands
Some moments in motorsport become part of history not because of a victory, a championship or a record, but because they remind us just how important safety can be when everything goes wrong.
More than three decades after one of the most dramatic accidents of his Formula 1 career, former Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger experienced an emotional reunion at OMP headquarters in Ronco Scrivia, Italy.
There, Berger came across the very OMP racing gloves he was wearing during his terrifying 1989 crash at Imola. The fire-damaged gloves had been preserved as an important piece of OMP history—and seeing them again brought back memories of an accident that changed both Berger's life and the history of the Italian motorsport equipment manufacturer.
The story is more than a look back at one of Formula 1's most memorable crashes. It is also a reminder of why properly developed and certified racing equipment matters long before a driver ever needs it.
Gerhard Berger’s 1989 Imola Crash
On April 23, 1989, Gerhard Berger lined up for the San Marino Grand Prix at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, driving the Ferrari 640.
During the third lap of the race, Berger suffered a technical failure approaching the high-speed Tamburello corner. Traveling at approximately 280 km/h (174 mph), the Ferrari crashed heavily into the concrete wall and immediately caught fire.
With a full fuel load on board, the accident quickly became a massive fireball that was broadcast live to millions of viewers around the world.
The circuit marshals reached the wreckage in approximately 13 seconds, and the fire was extinguished shortly after. Berger remained surrounded by flames for a total of 23 seconds.
He survived the crash with burns covering approximately 10 percent of his body. Just four days later, he was released from the hospital, and he eventually returned to Formula 1 competition.
Months later, Berger went on to win the Portuguese Grand Prix—his fourth Formula 1 victory.
But the significance of the Imola accident went far beyond the race result.
23 Seconds in the Flames
For 23 seconds, Berger was inside a burning Formula 1 car.
During those crucial moments, the racing equipment he was wearing—including his OMP racing suit and gloves—played an important role in protecting him from the fire.
The gloves that Berger wore that day were eventually preserved by OMP. Decades later, they remained visibly marked by the accident, carrying the physical evidence of what happened at Imola.
When Berger visited OMP headquarters in 2026, he was unexpectedly reunited with them.
“I spent a long time surrounded by flames, but I survived,” Berger recalled during the reunion.
For OMP, the 1989 crash became a defining moment in the company's history. The company was still relatively small at the time, with around 15 employees, but the worldwide attention surrounding Berger's accident brought OMP's racing equipment into the global spotlight.
The company continued investing in racewear development, safety and product quality, building on the experience of that era to develop increasingly advanced motorsport equipment.
Safety Equipment: What Can Racers Learn from Gerhard Berger’s Crash?
Berger's story is a powerful reminder that racing safety equipment should never be treated as an afterthought.
A driver may spend countless hours preparing a car, analyzing data, working on setup and improving technique. But when something unexpected happens, the equipment worn by the driver becomes one of the most important parts of the overall safety system.
1. Fire-resistant racing gear matters
Racing suits, gloves and other protective equipment are designed to provide thermal protection in the event of fire.
Modern racewear has continued to evolve through advances in materials, manufacturing processes and homologation standards.
2. Homologation matters
Modern motorsport equipment is developed and tested according to specific safety requirements. FIA homologation standards help establish minimum performance requirements for racing apparel and other protective equipment.
For drivers, checking the applicable homologation of a product is an important part of choosing the right racing gear.
3. Safety equipment should be used consistently
Berger's experience also highlights the importance of taking safety seriously before an accident happens.
In fact, Berger had already made the decision to regularly wear fire-resistant underwear after witnessing the consequences of another driver's fire-related accident.
His approach was simple: preparation matters, even when you hope you will never need that protection.
4. Racing gloves are more than just about grip
A good pair of racing gloves needs to provide more than steering-wheel feel.
For competitive drivers, gloves are part of their protective equipment and are designed to combine functionality, comfort, grip and appropriate fire resistance according to their homologation.
The right glove should work as part of the complete racing setup—not against it.
From 1989 to Today: The Evolution of Motorsport Safety
Motorsport safety has changed dramatically since Berger's Imola crash.
Today's drivers have access to racewear developed through decades of engineering, testing and research. Modern FIA homologation standards, advanced fire-resistant materials and improved manufacturing techniques have continued to raise the level of protection available to competitors.
At the same time, modern racing gloves are designed with driver control in mind. Features such as ergonomic construction, pre-curved designs, specialized palm materials and external seams can help provide the combination of grip, comfort and feel drivers need behind the wheel.
The goal is not simply to create equipment that meets a standard.
It is to create equipment that a driver can trust when it matters most.
The Importance of Paddock Preparation
Berger's story happened at the highest level of motorsport, but the lesson applies far beyond Formula 1.
Whether you're competing in karting, club racing, a national championship or a track-day event, the principle remains the same: safety equipment should be part of your preparation before you arrive at the track.
Your helmet, racing suit, gloves, shoes, head-and-neck restraint and other protective equipment all form part of your overall race setup.
The equipment may not be the most visible part of the car.
But when the unexpected happens, it can become the most important.
A Legacy That Continues
The story of Gerhard Berger and OMP has continued across generations.
Berger first worked with OMP during his Formula 1 career, and their relationship became an important part of the company's history. His first Formula 1 victory, at the 1986 Mexican Grand Prix, was also OMP's first F1 victory.
Today, that connection continues through the next generation.
Berger's son, Johan, has begun competing in international karting while wearing OMP equipment. Gerhard now has the opportunity to pass on not only his experience behind the wheel, but also the lessons he learned throughout his career about preparation, equipment and safety.
More than 35 years after Imola, the story has come full circle.
The gloves that once represented a terrifying moment in Formula 1 history now serve as a physical reminder of how far motorsport safety has come—and why the work never really stops.
The Lesson from Imola
Gerhard Berger's 1989 accident is remembered as one of the most dramatic crashes of his Formula 1 career.
But behind the flames, the headlines and the photographs is a lesson that remains relevant for every racer:
Safety equipment matters before you need it.
You may never experience an accident like Berger's. Hopefully, you never will.
But choosing properly homologated racing equipment, using it consistently and understanding the role it plays in your overall protection is part of being prepared for the unexpected.
That is why the right racing gloves are not simply another item on a driver's checklist.
They are part of the equipment you trust when you need it most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Gerhard Berger at Imola in 1989?
During the 1989 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Gerhard Berger suffered a technical failure while approaching the Tamburello corner. His Ferrari crashed at approximately 280 km/h and caught fire.
How long was Gerhard Berger trapped in the fire?
Berger remained surrounded by flames for approximately 23 seconds before he was rescued from the burning Ferrari.
What racing equipment was Gerhard Berger wearing?
Berger was wearing OMP racing equipment, including an OMP racing suit and gloves. He also regularly used fire-resistant underwear, which he had chosen to wear after witnessing the consequences of another driver's fire-related accident.
Why are fire-resistant racing gloves important?
Racing gloves are an important part of a driver's protective equipment. Depending on the product and its homologation, they are designed to provide fire resistance while also delivering the grip, comfort and control required for driving.
What should you look for when choosing racing gloves?
Start by checking the homologation required for your racing discipline and series. Then consider fit, comfort, grip, materials, construction and compatibility with the rest of your racing gear.
Explore OMP Racing Gloves at DRIVEN
Gerhard Berger's story is a reminder that the equipment you choose today could matter most in a moment you never expect.
At DRIVEN Racing Shop, we offer a selection of OMP Racing Gloves for drivers looking for the right combination of protection, performance, comfort and control.
Whether you're preparing for competitive motorsport, karting or your next track-day event, choosing the right equipment is part of preparing to race.
👉 Explore our OMP Racing Gloves collection and find the right pair for your next session.
