At the opening four races of the 1987 Formula 1 season Ayrton Senna started from pole every time. Despite this, he had only managed to convert one of his pole into victory, at Imola. His team-mate Alain Prost, meanwhile, had three victories to his name.
Senna Wins at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Senna continued his monopoly of pole position in Canada, qualifying ahead of Prost in the other McLaren. Derek Warwick was fortunate to walk away from a big accident in his Arrows during the session.
At the start Prost managed to force his way ahead of Senna. The Brazilian stayed second for a while, before eventually making his move and taking over the lead. Thierry Boutsen had an impressive outing in the Benetton, managing to pass both Ferrari drivers. It was a bad day for the Italian team, with both Gerhard Berger and Michele Alboreto retiring. Senna crossed the line first, ahead of Prost in second and Boutsen.
Detroit Grand Prix Won by Senna and McLaren
A new track surface was laid in Detroit before the Grand Prix but it proved inefficient and started breaking up when the Formula 1 cars took to the circuit. Senna’s extraordinary run of pole positions continued, with Prost joining him on the front row of the grid. Ivan Capelli injured his foot when he crashed his Leyton House March into the pit wall.
Senna gained the initiative at the start and led away. Prost was slow off the line and passed by several cars. He soon made his way back up to second, a position he held until the end, behind the winner Senna. Both Ferrari drivers retired from the Grand Prix, and it was Boutsen who again made it onto the podium with a third place finish. Italian veteran Andrea De Cesaris gave the tiny Rial team cause to celebrate by coming home fourth.
Prost Passes Senna to Win French Grand Prix
Prost finally managed to break Senna’s stranglehold on pole position at Paul Ricard.Senna wasn’t far off the pace, clocking the second fastest time.The Ligier team had a disastrous session. René Arnoux and Stefan Johansson both suffered the ignominy of failing to qualify.
In the early stages of the Grand Prix Prost led from Senna, but the Brazilian found himself in front after the pit stops. He then began experiencing gearbox problems and Prost managed to get back past. The Frenchman crossed the line first, ahead of Senna’s ailing McLaren and Alboreto’s Ferrari.
1988 F1 season review continues.
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