By the time of the 1986 Canadian Grand Prix in June it was already proving to be a traumatic Formula 1 season. Frank Williams had been paralysed in a road crash and Brabham’s Elio De Angelis had died following a testing crash. Alain Prost was the only driver to have won more than a single Grand Prix, but that would change at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Mansell Takes Victory in Canadian Grand Prix
After winning the previous race in Belgium Williams driver Nigel Mansell made it a double in Canada, at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Englishman won from pole, with Prost 20 seconds further back in his McLaren. Nelson Piquet set the fastest lap of the race on his way to third place in the other Williams. In the morning warm-up session Lola’s Patrick Tambay had a big accident, which left him with injured feet.
Senna Wins Thrilling Detroit Grand Prix
Qualifying in Detroit saw Ayrton Senna, as was becoming the norm, take pole position. The Brazilian driver also won the Grand Prix, but only after a storming comeback drive. Senna’s Lotus picked up a puncture, resulting in a pit stop which dropped him to eighth. Jacques Laffite scored his second podium of the season, finishing second for Ligier, while Prost again showed his consistency by coming home third.
Laffite’s team-mate at Ligier, René Arnoux, had an extremely eventful race. The little Frenchman actually led for a few laps, but then crashed out in a bizarre accident. He initially went off line and struck Piquet’s already retired Williams. This was not enough to eliminate the Ligier but, as Arnoux tried to rejoin, he was collected by Thierry Boutsen in an Arrows, the collision proving terminal for both men.
Mansell Wins at Paul Ricard and Brands Hatch
Senna continued his excellent qualifying form at the French Grand Prix, taking pole. In the race he crashed out, while Mansell set fastest lap on his way to victory. Prost finished 17 seconds back in second, with Piquet third.
Brands Hatch had been the scene of Mansell’s first ever Formula 1 win in 1985 and he once again emerged victorious in front of his adoring public. At the start a multiple accident saw Laffite’s Ligier catapulted into the armco. The race was stopped while Laffite was extricated from the wreckage. His injuries put an end to his Formula 1 career.
It was fortunate for Mansell that the race was stopped as his Williams had broken a CV joint pulling away from the line. At the re-start Piquet led but Mansell eventually made his move, taking the lead and holding it to the flag. Piquet finished second, with Prost a lap behind in the third.
1986 Formula 1 season review continues here.
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