1990 Japanese Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = Japan
Grand Prix = Japanese
Official name = XVI Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix
Date = October 21
Year = 1990


Race_No = 15
Season_No = 16
Location = Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, Mie, Japan
Course = Permanent racing facility
Course_mi = 3.64
Course_km = 5.859
Distance_laps = 53
Distance_mi = 192.966
Distance_km = 310.548
Weather = Sunny
Pole_Driver = Ayrton Senna
Pole_Team = McLaren-Honda
Pole_Time = 1:36.996
Pole_Country = Brazil
Fast_Driver = Riccardo Patrese
Fast_Team = Williams-Renault
Fast_Time = 1:44.233
Fast_L

Fast_Country = Italy
First_Driver = Nelson Piquet
First_Team = Benetton-Ford
First_Country = Brazil
Second_Driver = Roberto Moreno
Second_Team = Benetton-Ford
Second_Country= Brazil
Third_Driver = Aguri Suzuki
Third_Team = Larrousse-Lamborghini
Third_Country = Japan

The 1990 Japanese Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on 21 October 1990 at Suzuka.

Summary

This race is most famous (or rather infamous) for its first corner incident involving world championship contenders Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. Senna secured the pole, but was unhappy with the side of the track it was situated on, claiming that pole should always be on the racing line. He then went to Jean Marie Balestre to request a change the position of pole but was rejected. After this he vowed that if Prost (starting second) got the advantage into the first corner, which most were sure he would, he would act as if there was no car there, inciting a crash. This was exactly what happened, with the two flying off the track at break-neck speeds. The crash meant that Senna had won the drivers' championship for a second time.

The two discussed the event afterwards [http://www.prostfan.com/hk/specials/suzuka3-4.htm - Prost-biased review and discussion of the incident.] with Senna claiming it was not how he wanted it but how it had to be, with many others accepting his actions as a solution (or revenge, to an extent) to the incident the year before [http://www.prostfan.com/hk/specials/suzuka.htm - Prost-biased exploration of the events.] . Prost was infuriated by this and almost retired from the sport instantly.

The pair went on to win one more championship each and eventually reconciled their differences in their final grand prix together [http://www.farzadsf1gallery.com/features/adel93.html - Adelaide Grand Prix review featuring images of Senna and Prost on the podium.] .

Aside from this there were many announcements prior to the race, Brabham announced they would use Yamaha engines for 1991, Footwork also announced their engine deal and they would use Porsche power for 1991 and they also retained both drivers in Alex Caffi and Michele Alboreto. In other news the Life and Eurobrun teams withdrew from the sport. Eurobrun's Roberto Moreno joined the Benetton team replacing Sandro Nannini who was injured in a helicopter crash after the Spanish Grand Prix.

Nigel Mansell also announced a u-turn on his decision to retire by making public his agreement to join Williams-Renault for 2 years from 1991 after being given assurances from Frank Williams, Patrick Head and Renault that they could deliver him a car in which he could win a world championship.

Classification

Notes

* Lap Leaders: Gerhard Berger 1 lap (1); Nigel Mansell 25 laps (2-26); Nelson Piquet 27 laps (27-53)
* Alesi did not start due to a neck injury during Friday's practice. His grid position was left empty.
* Both the Life and EuroBrun teams withdrew prior to the race.

References

* "Unless otherwise indicated, all race results are taken from cite web |title=The Official Formula 1 website |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1990/229/ |accessdate=2007-08-05

F1 race report
Name_of_race = Japanese Grand Prix
Year_of_race = 1990
Previous_race_in_season = 1990 Spanish Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season = 1990 Australian Grand Prix
Previous_year's_race = 1989 Japanese Grand Prix
Next_year's_race = 1991 Japanese Grand Prix