1991 Formula 1 Racing Season
Senna Responded to Mansell's Title Challenge with Two F1 Wins
Dec 31, 2008
By the time the 1991 Formula 1 World Championship reached Hungary in August the momentum lay with Nigel Mansell and Williams. Honda, however, had put massive amounts of time and development into providing championship leader Ayrton Senna with the power he needed to protect his place at the top of the standings.
Senna Responds to Mansell at Hungaroring
Senna was in aggressive mode for the Hungarian Grand Prix. After starting from pole he strongly rebuffed a challenge from Riccardo Patrese into turn one. Mansell, who was allowed past into second place by his team-mate, could do nothing about Senna. The race finished in that order, Senna winning from Mansell and Patrese. Alain Prost had a miserable day, retiring his Ferrari with engine failure.
A Brilliant Formula 1 Debut at Spa-Francorchamps
The Jordan team needed a new driver for the Belgian Grand Prix. Bertrand Gachot was stuck in a British prison, having been convicted of assaulting a taxi driver with CS gas. Michael Schumacher’s manager heard the story and persuaded Eddie Jordan to give his young charge an opportunity. It was the beginning of a very special Formula 1 career. At such short notice it was impossible to find a hotel near the circuit, and so Schumacher spent his first Grand Prix weekend staying in a youth hostel.
In qualifying Schumacher comfortably outpaced his experienced team-mate Andrea De Cesaris, lining up seventh on the grid. At the front it was Senna on pole from Prost. Mansell started third in the Williams, with Gerhard Berger’s McLaren fourth. Schumacher’s debut lasted just a few yards, as his clutch died on the line.
Senna kept first position away from the start, pursued by Prost in the Ferrari. The Frenchman ended his afternoon early, with another V12 engine failure. After the tyre stops had been completed Mansell found himself ahead of Senna, but it didn’t last long. Spa continued its reputation as an engine breaker with his Renault V10 coughing its last.
Following Mansell’s withdrawal first place passed to Jean Alesi’s Ferrari. He was once again not planning to stop, but his car did not last the distance. This meant that Senna once again found himself leading the Belgian Grand Prix, but the Brazilian was being harassed by De Cesaris in the Jordan. His problem finally disappeared when the Jordan’s Ford engine expired.
Patrese moved up to second place but gearbox trouble allowed Berger to pass him. The Williams driver would soldier on and eventually finish the race fifth. Senna won the Grand Prix, while Berger completed a McLaren 1-2 by finishing second. Next came the two Benetton drivers, with Nelson Piquet ahead of Roberto Moreno. Senna left Belgium knowing that he had finally halted Mansells title charge.
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