The second half of the 1984 Formula 1 World Championship was dominated by McLaren, but neither driver managed to establish a significant gap over the other in the points table. Niki Lauda was disillusioned with the team and met with Renault to discuss a move after the season had finished, although it came to nothing.
Lauda Wins Italian Grand Prix at Monza
Although he wasn’t in title contention Nelson Piquet was still right on the pace, claiming pole position at Monza in his Brabham. Predictably, his BMW engine failed to last the distance. Victory went the way of Lauda and McLaren. Michele Alboreto was second Ferrari in their home race with another Italian combination third. Riccardo Patrese brought the relatively uncompetitive Alfa Romeo home in a podium position. Alain Prost’s title hopes suffered a setback. After qualifying second he retired early on with engine failure.
Prost Wins European Grand Prix
The 1984 European Grand Prix was held at the recently opened Nurburgring circuit, located next to the grand old track deemed too dangerous for modern Formula 1 machinery. Piquet added another pole position to his CV but had to settle for third place in the race, just one second behind Alboreto’s Ferrari. Ahead of both of them was Prost, winning the race and reviving his championship hopes. Lauda came home fourth, after having his race compromised due to an altercation with Mauro Baldi’s Spirit.
Lauda and Prost in Estoril Title Decider
Lauda held the points lead going into the Portuguese weekend and knew that, even if Prost won, second place would be enough to secure his third World Championship.
It was Piquet on pole again but, in the race, Prost did all could be winning the Grand Prix. Lauda started slowly but proceeded to pick off cars. When Nigel Mansell spun out of second place Lauda inherited the position he needed. Due to the shortened race at Monaco the Austrian won the title by just half a point from Prost. Ayrton Senna had a fine drive to third, although it largely went unnoticed.
In his autobiography, “Meine Story”, published in 1986 by Motorbooks International Lauda described the podium after the race;
“Alain Prost is there already. I can tell by his expression how tough it is for him. He is fighting back the tears. Forget it, I tell him, forget it as soon as you can. This was my year, next year will be yours.”
It was a fitting way for Lauda to end his extraordinary Formula 1 career, and he was correct in his prediction. The 1985 Formula 1 season would belong to Alain Prost.
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