1989 Formula 1 World Championship
Alain Prost Won Formula 1 Races at Paul Ricard and Silverstone
Thierry Boutsen had scored a surprise victory for Williams in the 1989 Canadian Grand Prix. At the next race in France came the announcement that a disgruntled Alain Prost would be leaving McLaren at the end of the season. He had signed to drive for Ferrari in 1990, while his place at McLaren would be taken by current Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger. Johnny Herbert was dropped by Benetton at Paul Ricard. The Englishman had still not fully recovered from injuries sustained in a Formula 3000 crash at Brands Hatch the previous year and was replaced by Emanuele Pirro.
French Grand Prix Goes to Prost
At Paul Ricard Prost enjoyed a perfect weekend, starting from pole position and winning the race. The Grand Prix was re-started after a spectacular accident which occurred when Leyton House March driver Mauricio Gugelmin ploughed into Thierry Boutsen’s Williams and Nigel Mansell’s Ferrari at the start.
Senna had led at the first start but fell victim to a gearbox problem second time around and retired. Berger, Alessandro Nannini and Boutsen all ran strongly only for all three drivers to retire with car problems. Ivan Capelli inherited second position in his Leyton House March, but he too retired, after his engine failed.
Prost took the chequered flag, ahead of Mansell’s Ferrari and Patrese’s Williams. The most remarkable performance of the day was by a young Frenchman. Jean Alesi, on his Grand Prix debut with Tyrrell, finished fourth. The team’s technical director, the late Harvey Postlethwaite, is quoted in the 2002 book, “Formula 1, The Autobiography”, speaking about Alesi’s performance;
“I’m reluctant to say too many nice things about Jean Alesi, because I’m frightened someone’s going to come along and nick him! …If he isn’t World Champion in the coming years… well, there’s something wrong with motor racing.”
Prost Wins Again at Silverstone
Senna looked set for victory in the British Grand Prix, after setting the fastest time in qualifying and keeping Prost behind him at the start of the race. A few laps later, however, the Brazilian made a rare error and spun his McLaren out of the race.
Prost crossed the finish line first, ahead of hometown hero Mansell in the Ferrari. Nannini completed the podium with third place for Benetton. The tiny Minardi team also had great reason to celebrate. Their drivers Pierluigi Martini and Luis Perez-Sala were classified fifth and sixth respectively, meaning that they escape from the dreaded pre-qualifying session.
Formula 1 driver Ivan Capelli
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