Mar 02, 2008
Sixteen races and 3 winners was the story in 1988. Ayrton Senna, probably the most famous Brazilian after Pele, had commanded the competition in 88. F1 enthusiasts looked forward to the 89’ races with immense anticipation and simply longing for some close but friendly rivalry! Senna was in the limelight during pre-season but Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and the others were determined to challenge the Brazilian this year. The season was flagged off at Rio de Janeiro but Senna was in for a nasty surprise. He was forced to finish two laps lesser and the winner—Mansell. Prost came in a close second. All of a sudden, Senna looked mortal. But as champions usually do, Senna stormed back with a win at Imola which sent a timely reminder to the rest of the field that he was here to stay. Senna was a street fighter; he enjoyed driving on the edge. Monaco was a street circuit that he liked and he absolutely pummeled the competition by winning with the 3rd placed driver Modena a lap down. A completely different setting, Mexico City, failed to yield a new winner with Senna enjoying a hat-trick of wins. Ricardo Patrese came second. By now, it looked as if Senna was going to clinch back-to-back titles without being pushed. But Prost, now a veteran, roared back into contention with a huge victory forcing Patrese to second place. Eddie Cheever completed the podium. Next, Williams Renault had a good outing at Canada with Thierry Boutsen and Patrese completing a one-two. Senna had two bad races and it signaled a change in the pecking order. Alain Prost in his McLaren was under pressure for the simple reason that he had a fast car, so he was expected to win. Champions thrive under pressure, and Prost sucked all the pressure up to breeze to his 2nd win of the season at Paul Ricard while Mansell came a distant second. The Honda Engine worked its magic again at Silverstone and Prost cantered to another comfortable victory. Mansell played second fiddle again. Senna seemed to have gone missing but Germany was where he returned to his winning ways with his closest rival; Prost reaching second. Mansell surprised everyone with a clinical piece of driving to win in Hungary. So it was Senna, Mansell and Prost who were chasing the coveted title. Senna nosed ahead in a thrilling race at Belgium where the three drivers were separated by a mere 1.824 seconds! Prost enjoyed the Italian hospitality in his next race driving to a win with Mansell and Senna failing to finish. All this had put out Senna’s hopes at clinching the title. Gerard Berger was the surprise winner at Estoril with Prost safe in 2nd place and Senna not finishing; yet again. But Senna rose from the ashes in Spain to win. The two leaders were not so impressive in Japan with Alessandro Naninni winning his first race of the season; Patrese the solid in hot pursuit! Senna actually finished first but was disqualified for reckless driving in the pits. Adelaide was of not of too much interest and Prost wrapped up the title while Boutsen cantered to his second win of the season. So Prost won the title, Senna didn’t. That was a welcome change for the neutrals!