When the Formula 1 teams and drivers arrived for the 1985 Austrian Grand Prix there was a notable absentee. In between the German and Austrian races Manfred Winkelhock travelled to Canada. At Mosport he was driving a Group C Kremer Porsche, only to suffer a violent crash which cost the German driver his life.
Prost Catches Alboreto in Formula 1 Title Race
Alain Prost enjoyed a flawless weekend in Austria, taking pole position, fastest lap and race victory in his McLaren. Ayrton Senna finished over 30 seconds back, with Michele Alboreto third for Ferrari. The result meant that Prost and Alboreto shared the lead of the driver’s championship, with 50 points apiece.
Away from the on track action Niki Lauda made public his intention to retire at the end of the season. The Austrian had enjoyed a remarkable career. In the seventies he won two World Championships with Ferrari, but also came close to dying in a fiery crash on the old Nurburgring. After a hiatus from Grand Prix racing Lauda returned to Formula 1 in the early eighties with McLaren, winning his third World Championship in 1984.
Lauda Scores Last Formula 1 Win
The historic Zandvoort circuit, situated on the Dutch coast, played host to a World Championship Formula 1 race for the final time in 1985. Nelson Piquet started from pole but the race developed into a battle between McLaren team-mates Lauda and Prost. It was Lauda who emerged victorious, crossing the line just a few feet ahead. Senna was a distant third in his Lotus.
Formula 1 fans had their last glimpse of Stefan Bellof in a Grand Prix car at Zandvoort. The mercurial young German driver retired his Tyrrell from the race, when its Renault engine failed. The British team had finally acquired turbo power but Bellof hardly got a chance to sample it. During a Group C sports car race at Spa-Francorchamps he attempted to pass Jacky Ickx around the outside of the very fast Eau Rouge corner, on a wet track. The cars touched, resulting in a massive crash for Bellof. The brilliant young talent paid the ultimate price for his enthusiasm.
Prost and McLaren Win Italian Grand Prix
As Alboreto and Ferrari’s title challenge faltered Prost continued to rack up points. In Italy the Frenchman scored another win, almost a minute ahead of Piquet’s Brabham. Senna had started the Grand Prix from pole but had to be content with third place at the finish.
1985 Formula 1 season review continues.
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