1990 Japanese Grand Prix
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| Race details | ||
|---|---|---|
| Race 15 of 16 in the 1990 Formula One season. | ||
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| Date | October 21, 1990 | |
| Official name | XVI Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix | |
| Location | Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Mie, Japan | |
| Course | Permanent racing facility 3.64 mi / 5.859 km |
|
| Distance | 53 laps, 192.966 mi / 310.548 km | |
| Weather | Sunny | |
| Pole position | ||
| Driver |  Ayrton Senna |
McLaren-Honda |
| Time | 1:36.996 | |
| Fastest lap | ||
| Driver |  Riccardo Patrese |
Williams-Renault |
| Time | 1:44.233 on lap 40 | |
| Podium | ||
| First | Nelson Piquet |
Benetton-Ford |
| Second | Roberto Moreno |
Benetton-Ford |
| Third |  Aguri Suzuki |
Larrousse-Lamborghini |
The 1990 Japanese Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on 21 October 1990 at Suzuka.
Contents |
[edit] Summary
This race is most famous (or rather infamous) for its first corner incident involving world championship contenders Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. Senna secured the pole, but was unhappy with the side of the track it was situated on, claiming that pole should always be on the racing line. He then went to Jean Marie Balestre to request a change the position of pole but was rejected. After this he vowed that if Prost (starting second) got the advantage into the first corner, which most were sure he would, he would act as if there was no car there, inciting a crash. This was exactly what happened, with the two flying off the track at break-neck speeds. The crash meant that Senna had won the drivers' championship for a second time.
The two discussed the event afterwards[1] with Senna claiming it was not how he wanted it but how it had to be, with many others accepting his actions as a solution (or revenge, to an extent) to the incident the year before[2]. Prost was infuriated by this and almost retired from the sport instantly.
The pair went on to win one more championship each and eventually reconciled their differences in their final grand prix together[3].
Aside from this there were many announcements prior to the race, Brabham announced they would use Yamaha engines for 1991, Footwork also announced their engine deal and they would use Porsche power for 1991 and they also retained both drivers in Alex Caffi and Michele Alboreto. In other news the Life and Eurobrun teams withdrew from the sport. Eurobrun's Roberto Moreno joined the Benetton team replacing Sandro Nannini who was injured in a helicopter crash after the Spanish Grand Prix.
Nigel Mansell also announced a u-turn on his decision to retire by making public his agreement to join Williams-Renault for 2 years from 1991 after being given assurances from Frank Williams, Patrick Head and Renault that they could deliver him a car in which he could win a world championship.
[edit] Classification
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[edit] Notes
- Lap Leaders: Gerhard Berger 1 lap (1); Nigel Mansell 25 laps (2-26); Nelson Piquet 27 laps (27-53)
- Alesi did not start due to a neck injury during Friday's practice. His grid position was left empty.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.prostfan.com/hk/specials/suzuka3-4.htm - Prost-biased review and discussion of the incident.
- ^ http://www.prostfan.com/hk/specials/suzuka.htm - Prost-biased exploration of the events.
- ^ http://www.farzadsf1gallery.com/features/adel93.html - Adelaide Grand Prix review featuring images of Senna and Prost on the podium.
- Unless otherwise indicated, all race results are taken from The Official Formula 1 website. Retrieved on 2007-08-05.
| Previous race: 1990 Spanish Grand Prix |
FIA Formula One World Championship 1990 season |
Next race: 1990 Australian Grand Prix |
| Previous race: 1989 Japanese Grand Prix |
Japanese Grand Prix | Next race: 1991 Japanese Grand Prix |
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