For the 1984 Formula 1 season the Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA) implemented major changes. After allowing refuelling during 1983 it was banned during the close season. Grand Prix cars were restricted to a fuel capacity of 220 litres with which to complete the race distance.
By 1984 having a turbocharged engine was essential for any team hoping to challenge for victory in Formula 1. The 1.5 litre units were thirsty, necessitating careful use of the boost function by the drivers. Throughout the season Formula 1 cars coasting to a halt, out of fuel, became a common site.
Prost Moves to McLaren from Renault
There were also major personnel changes for 1984. Alain Prost had been fired by Renault after failing to win the previous year’s World Championship. The Frenchman found a berth at McLaren, alongside Austrian double champion Niki Lauda, enjoying his second stint in Grand Prix racing. The McLaren was powered by a TAG-Porsche engine, which proved to be the class of the field as Prost and Lauda fought for the title all season long. Defending champion Nelson Piquet was fast all year, but his Brabham-BMW was frail and the Brazilian could not effectively defend his title.
1984 also saw the emergence of exciting new talents. The small Toleman team employed the services of the 1983 British Formula 3 champion, Ayrton Senna. Martin Brundle, who Senna had beaten to the Formula 3 title, was at Tyrrell, alongside the exciting young German Stefan Bellof. The Tyrrell team was the only one without a turbo engine. Despite this its two young drivers put in some truly remarkable performances. Unfortunately, the team was eventually disqualified from the championship after found to be using illegal ballast.
Prost Wins First Race for McLaren
The Jacarapagúa circuit in Brazil hosted the opening round of the 1984 Formula 1 World Championship. Elio De Angelis stormed to pole in his Lotus-Renault, but it was Ferrari’s Michele Alboreto who led the race early on. After he spun out with brake trouble Derek Warwick led for Renault but the Englishman had suffered suspension damage in a collision with Lauda’s McLaren. As the handling of his car deteriorated he was powerless to defend against Prost, who went on to take victory. It was a particularly satisfying win for the McLaren driver, and went some way to silencing his doubters at Renault.
Keke Rosberg finished second in a Williams-Honda, with De Angelis coming home third. American driver Eddie Cheever was fourth for Alfa-Romeo, but he was clearly not a fan of the new fuel economy rules. He was quoted in the 2002 book, “Formula 1, The Autobiography”, edited by Gerald Donaldson and published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson;
“Sure, I finished fourth, but I wasn’t racing – not at all. It was a matter of stroking round. A Grand Prix is supposed to be a sprint event, no holds barred, and it seems crazy to me that anything such as fuel consumption should come into it.”
1984 F1 season review continues.
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