1993 Formula 1 Grand Prix Season
Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost's Rivalry Ended at Australian GP
Dec 31, 2008
Alain Prost secured the 1993 Formula 1 World Championship with second place at Estoril. The Frenchman also announced his intention to retire from Grand Prix racing after the last two races in Japan and Australian. Suzuka and Adelaide would be the settings for his final confrontations with his greatest rival, Ayrton Senna. The great Brazilian would lose his life in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.
Irvine Angers Senna in Japanese Grand Prix
Eddie Irvine was a new face in the Formula 1 paddock at Suzuka. The Irishman had been hired by Jordan for the final two Grands Prix of the season. In qualifying he did a good job and started from eighth on the grid. Prost was on pole, followed by Senna second, Mika Hakkinen third, Michael Schumacher fourth, Gerhard Berger fifth and a disappointed Damon Hill sixth.
It rained during the Grand Prix and a slow pit stop for Prost allowed Senna to gain a comfortable lead. As the track dried Prost closed in on his old adversary, and the pair came up to lap Irvine’s Jordan. Senna dived passed, only for Irvine to unlap himself soon after. The Brazilian was enraged and punched Irvine after the race.
With the track dry again everyone stopped for slicks, after which Senna went on to win from Prost. Hakkinen was an excellent third for McLaren, with Hill fourth. The Jordan drivers filled the final two points positions, Rubens Barrichello ahead of Irvine.
Senna’s Final Grand Prix Victory
At the final race of the 1993 Formula 1 season Ayrton Senna managed to grab pole position for the first time that year. Prost was alongside him for what would be their last battle. Hill lined up third and Schumacher fourth.
After two aborted starts, due to stalled cars, the Grand Prix finally got underway. Senna led from Prost, Hill and Schumacher. The latter’s race was short-lived as he retired his Benetton with engine failure.
Senna drove on to victory, while Hill provided some excitement by spinning when trying to pass his team-mate Prost. He recovered and eventually finished third, behind Prost. Jean Alesi was fourth in the Ferrari, Gerhard Berger fifth in the other one and Martin Brundle sixth for Ligier.
Prost won the title in 1993 but, for many, Senna was the season’s best driver. In an inferior car he managed to win several Grands Prix. Tragically, his victory at Adelaide would turn out to be the great Brazilian’s last.
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