By the time of the 1988 Spanish Grand Prix the Formula 1 World Championship was nearing a dramatic climax. Alain Prost had won last time out in Portugal, and the fight for the title was between the Frenchman and his Brazilian team-mate Ayrton Senna.
Prost Takes Victory in Spanish Grand Prix
Predictably, Senna started the Spanish Grand Prix from pole position, with Prost joining him on the front row. The Frenchman made the better start, while Nigel Mansell was also quick of the line and moved into second place.
In a replay of the Portuguese Grand Prix Senna found himself being passed by the impressively quick Leyton House March of Ivan Capelli. It was a frustrating day for the Italian, however, as his car’s engine failed. Benetton driver Alessandro Nannini also managed to pass Senna’s McLaren, knocking the Brazilian out of a podium position.
At the flag it was Prost first, ahead of Mansell’s Williams and Nannini’s Benetton. The result meant that the World Championship could be decided in the next race, the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Senna Wins the Formula 1 World Championship
The 1988 Japanese Grand Prix produced one of the greatest drives of Ayrton Senna’s career. After qualifying on pole he stalled his McLaren at the start, dropping well down the field. Incredibly, Senna passed Prost for the lead less than 30 laps later. He stayed in front until the end, claiming his first Formula 1 World Championship. Prost was second with a faulty gearbox, with Thierry Boutsen third in his Benetton. It had been an impressive performance from Senna, made even more difficult by rain falling during the final few laps.
Australian Grand Prix Goes to Prost
Adelaide hosted the final race of 1988, and the last Grand Prix for turbocharged Formula 1 cars. In 1989 the rules dictated that all engines would have to be normally aspirated. Senna was on pole, but Prost got the better start. Gerhard Berger, in the Ferrari, then passed both McLaren drivers. He led convincingly only to see his race end in a collision while trying to lap the Ligier of René Arnoux, so victory went to Prost. Senna finished second,while newly deposed champion Nelson Piquet scored only his third podium of the year in third place.
The dominance of McLaren during 1988 had been almost complete, as the team failed to win only once. The incident at Estoril between Prost and Senna had sown the seeds for the intensely bitter rivalry which was to develop between the two during the 1989 season.
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