The battle for the 1987 Formula 1 World Championship reached Monza in September. Nigel Mansell had won the previous Grand Prix in Austria. In Italy his team-mate and bitter rival Nelson Piquet opted to try a new Williams.
Piquet Wins Italian Grand Prix in Active Williams
The use of active suspension in Formula 1 had been pioneered by Lotus. At Monza Williams had developed a car with the technology and Piquet decided to use it, while Mansell stuck with his tried and tested car.
Piquet used the active car to set a time good enough for pole. Mansell was right on his tail in second, while Berger lifted the spirits of the tifosi by setting the third quickest time in his Ferrari.
Piquet was ahead as they finished lap one, and the Brazilian champion elect was also in front at the chequered flag. Mansell had an eventful afternoon, becoming involved in a collision with Berger which dropped both drivers behind Thierry Boutsen in a Benetton. Mansell eventually managed to pass both Berger and Boutsen, finishing the race third. In second place was Ayrton Senna, who didn’t stop for tyres. He looked lie winning the race until a late off track excursion allowed Piquet through into the lead.
Prost Beats Stewart’s Formula 1 Record at Estoril
The story of qualifying in Portugal was Berger’s pole position in the ever improving Ferrari. He finished the session ahead of Mansell’s Williams. The Grand prix was re-started after a multiple accident triggered when Michele Alboreto and Piquet collided.
At the second start Mansell got the jump on Berger, but the Ferrari driver was soon back in front. Mansell eventually retired with an engine problem. With just three laps to go Berger was leading the race, but coming under severe pressure from Prost’s McLaren. It proved too much for the Austrian and he spun, gifting the win to Prost. Berger recovered to finish second, with Piquet third. Prost’s victory was his 28th in the Formula 1 World Championship, breaking the previous record of Jackie Stewart and making him the most successful driver in Grand Prix history.
After the Portuguese Grand Prix just four races remained to decide the destiny of the 1987 Formula 1 title. Piquet held a commanding lead in the points standings and the Williams driver was a strong favourite to take his third World Championship. The next race, at Jerez in Spain, would go a long way to deciding the outcome.
1987 Grand Prix season review continues here.
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