<< Return to the news list

<strong>Ayrton Senna Special:</strong> Part 33 - Problems at the team - Bad luck and controversy put an end to the second world title (1989)

Ayrton Senna Special: Part 33 - Problems at the team - Bad luck and controversy put an end to the second world title (1989)

Published on 24 Apr 2019 20:00
0
By: Fergal Walsh

With a series of three good results and five Grands Prix ahead of him, Ayrton travelled with great confidence to Italy to continue the championship. Prost had already scored ten out of eleven Grands Prix points. This meant that after the Italian Grand Prix he could only add points with performances that were higher than a fourth place. Ayrton, on the other hand, was able to get all available points in the course of the season.

His retirements in the United States, France, England and his finishes outside the points in Brazil and Canada were automatically the five races he was able to drop. The Brazilian had fought himself back from an almost hopeless position in the battle for the title.

Italy (Favourite becomes enemy)

For the Italian Grand Prix, Alain Prost was officially announced at Ferrari, and Berger at McLaren. Where the Tifosi had seen Prost as an enemy in previous years, Prost was received as a hero. The Italians didn't care that he was still active at McLaren, as he had become one of the Ferrari people. Prost again claimed that Honda would give 'priority' to Senna, this was contradicted by both Honda and Ron Dennis.

The Frenchman got support from Nigel Mansell and Keke Rosberg. Murray Walker also questioned the Honda engine during the race. Walker, who didn't take part, said during the race that Senna's car was no less than 11 km/h faster on the straights, despite the fact that both had the same Honda engine. With a time of 1:23.720 Ayrton took the 38th pole position of his career. He was flanked by Berger who was more than one second slower. Mansell was third, Prost fourth. Prost was 1.790 seconds behind.

At the start Ayrton took the lead, and drove away from the number three and four (Mansell and Prost), but did not initially get away from the Ferrari of Berger. Mansell dropped out with a gearbox problem and a little later in the race, we got the most strange situation ever at Monza. The Tifosi saw Prost catch up to Berger. The McLaren passed the Ferrari and the cheers in the stands were above the sound of the engines. It's remarkable to think that the Italians already thought that Prost was driving a Ferrari.

The Tifosi were then completely out of control when they saw Ayrton, with only nine laps to go, suffering from engine issues. The Brazilian then spun at the Parabolica and got out of the car quickly. It was a strange sight to cheer for the Italians towards the man who was put on a throne by the fans at Imola. Prost, who had a difficult weekend until then, suddenly got the lead and drove the MP4-5 to the race win. Prost won the Italian Grand Prix after just under 80 minutes and was 20 points ahead of Ayrton.

Two victories and two failures from Prost were not enough for Ayrton to catch up with the Frenchman. In 1989 the winner of the Grand Prix got nine points. It was the fourth time Ayrton lost his leading position because of a problem with the Honda engine. Nevertheless, he kept his confidence: "I'm still not eliminated for the world title, I will continue to fight until the last race of the season."

Portugal (Mansell decides title fight)

Upon arrival in Portugal, McLaren knew that the Ferrari 640 was the best-developed car of the season. In qualifying mode, the V12 may not have been the strongest, but in terms of speed during the race, the 640 could match the MP4-5. Qualification was 'business as usual', Senna on pole position with a big lead over number two. Berger was next to the Brazilian, Mansell and Prost on the second row. Ayrton had to win the next four Grands Prix to have a chance of winning the title.

The Grand Prix of Portugal showed that the Pirelli qualifying tyre, used by the rearguard teams, was a good one. Pierluigi Martini put his Minardi-Ford on fifth place on the grid, Luis Pérez-Sala was ninth and Martin Brundle tenth in the Brabham. The surprise of the qualifying session was Roberto Moreno who drove the Coloni to 15th place on the grid. All drivers, with the exception of Martini, wouldn't play a prominent role in the race. Martini was in the lead for one lap during this Grand Prix of Portugal when all frontrunners had made their pit stop.

At the start Berger was the fastest, taking the lead from Ayrton and Nigel. The Brit continued to put pressure on the Brazilian and that resulted in a catch-up action. Both Ferraris, who had an excellent speed, drove away from the McLarens. Berger, meanwhile passed by Mansell, had problems with the stragglers and so Ayrton could join in.

On the 28th lap Prost decided to be the first of the top four to make his tyre stop. It was clear that the Frenchman only came for one thing and that was scoring points. Berger stopped on lap 35, Ayrton one lap later. Ferrari's stop was seven seconds faster than Senna's stop, which meant that Berger was out of reach for the Brazilian at the time. The crucial moment of the race finally came no the 39th lap.

Nigel Mansell wanted to make his pit stop but passed his pit box. Instead of having the mechanics push the car back, the Englishman decided to put his car in reverse gear. This is strictly forbidden. After a messy pit stop the Ferrari driver came onto the track behind Martini. He passed the Italian and went hunting for Ayrton. Ayrton, at that time driving in second place, was on the hunt for Berger's leading Ferrari.

At the same time, the race management decided to disqualify Mansell. On the 47th lap the race committee gave Mansell the black flag for the first time, which was ignored by the Englishman. One lap later he got the black flag again and again the Englishman ignored the officials. At the start of the 49th lap, the Englishman and Ayrton passed a straggler, the black flag was shown to him (third time) and the Englishman out-braked himself and drove Ayrton out of the match.

Apart from apologies, it was unbelievable that the team management of Ferrari had not intervened on the radio either. Mansell only thought of the victory. The situation was described by the FIA as 'extremely dangerous and reckless' and it was not surprising that Mansell was suspended for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Statement by James Hunt after the race in Portugal

"The controversy of Portugal is the big talk of the day. The paddock is full of people who want to give their opinion and that is why I have decided to give an opinion as well. Mansell was just doing the professional thing, he was driving a race while his team was trying to figure out what actually happened about the black flag. The accident with Senna, which you have to look at separately, is completely Ayrton Senna's fault. The interesting thing about the whole story is that people here in Jerez think that Ayrton Senna was very lucky to be here at the start. If there is any form of consistency in the FIA, they should have punished Senna for his ridiculous action as well.

"This is class justice and that's not the first time. Mansell has the right to feel bad, especially after Ayrton Senna ignored a red flag seven times last Friday during practice. In that respect, the FISA has double standards. Senna is lucky and his new god, which he has found and which laughs at him, has ensured that he can start today", said James Hunt at the start of the race as commentator for the BBC. Murray Walker kept his distance from the statement.

Spain (Victory that comes too late)

The victory in Spain in one of the most boring races of the season ensured that Ayrton reached 60 points. His 16-point gap to Prost could only be made up with two victories. Prost was able to start by scrapping his 'worst' results, Ayrton had everything to drive for. "It will be difficult in Japan", said Ayrton after the race. "It was difficult in 1988 and it will be difficult this year. The same goes for Australia. I have nothing to lose and I have two or three weeks to rest and recharge myself for these two Grands Prix."

"I was able to race much harder today, but there is no point in catching up with people on this track and taking a risk. Now I have all the points inside and I can race harder the upcoming races", explained Prost.

After the Spanish Grand Prix, Prost spoke in the French media about the upcoming battle with Senna in Japan. Prost decided to open the attack verbally by saying that he wouldn't leave any room in the future if Ayrton wanted to pass him. With this statement in mind, Formula 1 travelled to the land of the rising sun. At Suzuka, the decision would be made.