The first two Grands Prix of the 1986 Formula 1 season were both won by Brazilians. Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna both tasted success, but it was clear that other drivers would also be in contention as the season progressed. At Jerez Nigel Mansell had only failed to beat Senna’s Lotus by a matter of inches.
Prost Just Wins San Marino Grand Prix
For the 1986 season the amount of fuel permitted during a race was reduced further. At Imola this caused a headache for several teams, as had been the case in 1985. Senna started from pole, only to retire when a wheel bearing failed. Alain Prost’s McLaren began to slow with fuel starvation just yards from the flag. By weaving his car from side to side the Frenchman managed to crawl across the line, beating Nelson Piquet by less than eight seconds. In third place was Gerhard Berger, scoring the first podium of his career in a Benetton.
Prost Wins Again in Monaco
At Monaco in 1986 Prost and his McLaren team-mate dominated the weekend. After taking pole the Frenchman won the race by 25 seconds from Rosberg. Senna, yet to score his first victory around the principality, was third. Elio De Angelis retired his Brabham from what would prove to be his final Grand Prix.
The De Angelis Tragedy at Paul Ricard
After Monaco De Angelis and Brabham headed to Paul Ricard for a test, as they tried to sort out the troublesome BT55. During the session a rear wing failed on the car, robbing De Angelis of control and resulting in a violent accident. With ill-equipped marshals on duty his fellow drivers tried to rescue De Angelis from the burning wreckage. It took an age and, when he was finally released, his injuries were extremely serious. Although De Angelis survived for a couple of days the popular Italian eventually succumbed. Formula 1 had lost one its most loved and endearing characters.
Mansell Victorious in Belgian Grand Prix
At Spa-Francorchamps Mansell, one of those who had tried to save De Angelis at Paul Ricard, won his first Grand Prix of the season. He beat Senna by 19 seconds, while Stefan Johansson scored the first Ferrari podium of the year with third. Once again Senna had started from pole but the Brazilian did not see the chequered flag after crashing out. Throughout 1986 Senna’s Lotus would frequently be up front but poor reliability prevented the Brazilian from making a serious title assault.
1986 F1 season review continues.
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