The
1993 Formula One season was the 44th
FIA Formula One World
Championship season. It commenced on March 14, 1993 and ended on
November 7 after sixteen races.
Alain
Prost won his fourth Drivers' world championship, and his
Williams team retained their
Constructors' world title.
Pre-season
1993 saw a major shake-up of drivers, especially among the top
teams. Across the grid a number of experienced drivers retired or
moved to other series and new faces emerged.
- Williams completed the signing of Alain Prost, returning to the
sport after a "sabbatical" year. Nigel Mansell opted not to remain
with the team to defend his title and moved to IndyCar racing in the US. Prost's team-mate would
be Damon Hill, son of Graham Hill and Williams's test driver in 1992.
The absence of the defending champion meant that Williams could not
use the number 1 on their cars, so the cars were numbered 0 and 2,
with Prost electing to use number 2.
- Uncertainty also surrounded the McLaren
team, whose
iconic driver Ayrton Senna was
reluctant to re-sign for 1993 as the team had lost their Honda engines and were not expected to be competitive
with their customer Ford engines.
McLaren signed Michael Andretti, a
successful IndyCar driver, and Mika
Häkkinen who had impressed for Lotus in 1991-92. Senna
eventually signed on a race-by-race basis for the team and was
partnered by Andretti for most of the season.
- Benetton retained Michael
Schumacher, but Martin Brundle was
replaced by Italian veteran Riccardo
Patrese, released by Williams.
- Scuderia Ferrari likewise
retained Jean Alesi, but Ivan Capelli and Nicola Larini had both disappointed in 1992
and Gerhard Berger returned to the
team after three years away.
- Ligier reunited British drivers
Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell: the two had previously driven
for Brabham in 1991 but to the relief of
commentators everywhere had seldom troubled the TV coverage.
- Jordan had lost both drivers
to retirement after a frustrating 1992. Young Brazilian Rubens Barrichello made his debut with
the team while a number of drivers filled the second seat: Ivan Capelli, Thierry Boutsen, Marco Apicella, test driver Emanuele Naspetti and finally Eddie Irvine.
- Sauber were the only new team in this
year's grid, a Swiss team with Ilmor engines
and much-publicised backing by Mercedes.
Their driver line-up saw Karl
Wendlinger who had impressed in two races for March the previous year, paired with
JJ Lehto.
- Veteran British driver Derek
Warwick signed for Footwork
after three years out of the sport, alongside Aguri Suzuki.
In all, only seven drivers who lined up on the grid in South Africa
were with the same team they had been with the previous year:
Schumacher, Senna, Alesi,
Johnny
Herbert at
Lotus,
Andrea de Cesaris for
Tyrrell, Aguri Suzuki and
Christian Fittipaldi at
Minardi.
The worldwide recession in the early 1990s had taken its toll: the
March and
Fondmetal teams had folded in
the off-season, while the Brabham and
Andrea Moda Formula teams had failed to
complete the 1992 season, so the number of drivers and teams
overall had reduced, down to 30 drivers competing for 26 grid
positions.
Race-by-Race
Race One: South Africa
The season started off in Kyalami where Prost took pole ahead of
Senna, Schumacher, Hill, Alesi and Lehto, impressing in Sauber's
first Grand Prix. At the start, Prost was poor and Senna and Hill
(who was already ahead of Schumacher) got ahead of him. Then, Hill
spun in front of Prost and dropped well down the field, Prost being
forced to back off and let Schumacher through to second. Senna led
Schumacher, Prost, Lehto, Wendlinger and Alesi at the end of lap
one.
Prost attacked Schumacher, took second on lap 13 and set off after
Senna. Five laps later, he attacked into the first corner but Senna
took the inside and defended. However, Senna could not do anything
when Prost attacked on lap 25 with the inside line. He took the
lead and motored off. Schumacher also passed Senna to take second
soon after. Both of them pitted unlike Prost, but Senna was quicker
and rejoined ahead.
Schumacher was in no mood to stay third and attacked Senna on lap
40. There was minor contact and Schumacher spun off into
retirement. Patrese was third but he too spun off on lap 47 just as
Christian Fittipaldi passed
Lehto. Prost won from Senna, Blundell, Fittipaldi, Lehto and Berger
(he was out but was classified sixth).
Race Two: Brazil
Brazil was Senna's home race but he was able to do nothing to
prevent the Williamses being 1-2 in qualifying with Prost on pole
ahead of Hill. Senna was third ahead of Schumacher, Andretti and
Patrese. At the start, Senna got ahead of Hill but Andretti was
slow and got hit by Berger. Both of them along with Brundle and
Fabrizio Barbazza's Minardi were
out. The order was: Prost, Senna, Hill, Schumacher, Patrese and
Lehto.
Patrese only lasted until the fourth lap when his suspension
failed. While Prost motored away, Senna was under pressure from
Hill who took second on lap 11. On lap 25, Senna was issued a
stop-go penalty for lapping a backmarker under yellow flags and
dropped behind Schumacher. There was a rainstorm, and many drivers
spun, two retiring. Fittipaldi spun on lap 30 with his car on the
track. He was trying to rejoin when Prost, about to lap him, rain
straight into him. Both were out and the new Safety Car was sent
out. At this point, Hill was leading Schumacher , Senna, Alesi,
Lehto and
Karl Wendlinger.
It began to dry and everyone stopped for dry tyres, with
Schumacher's car falling off its jack. He rejoined behind Senna
with
Johnny Herbert and Blundell
gaining. Then, Senna passed Hill for the lead and pulled away.
Behind, Schumacher and Alesi had stop-go penalties for passing
under yellow flags, Schumacher dropping to fifth and Alesi going
down to ninth. Schumacher passed Blundell and then Herbert to take
third. Senna won from Hill, Schumacher, Herbert, Blundell and
Alessandro Zanardi.
Race Three: Europe
The new
European Grand Prix at Donington Park
was next and the Williamses were 1-2 in qualifying
with Prost on pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Wendlinger and
Andretti. At the start, it was damp and Schumacher blocked
Senna and both lost time and Wendlinger took third. Senna quickly
passed Schumacher at the third corner. He then went after
Wendlinger, passing him through the Craner Curves with Schumacher
and Andretti trying to follow through. Schumacher went through but
Andretti hit Wendlinger and both were out. Senna went after Hill
now and took second at the Coppice Corner. Now Prost was the target
and the lead was taken at the last corner - the Melbourne Hairpin.
Senna led Prost, Hill, Barrichello, Schumacher and Lehto into lap
2.
The track began to dry and everyone pitted for dry tyres. Lehto was
fifth but he retired with handling problems on lap 14. Berger took
the place but he too retired with suspension problems six laps
later. It rained again and the leaders now pitted for wets.
Schumacher stayed out and was leading but spun off on lap 23
because he was on the wrong tyres. The track began to dry and
everyone pitted once again with Senna having a problem and losing
20 seconds. Prost now led Senna, Hill,
Rubens Barrichello,
Derek Warwick and Herbert.
It began to rain and the two Williamses stopped for wets while
Senna stayed out. It was the correct decision because it began to
rain again. The Williamses stopped yet again for dries. Prost
stalled in the pits in his stop and when he rejoined, he was a lap
behind and down in fourth. Barrichello was now second but it rained
and then stopped again. He went to the pits twice and by now Hill
was in second, albeit a lap down. Barrichello, third, had trouble
with his fuel pressure and retired, giving the place to Prost.
Senna won from Hill, Prost, Herbert, Patrese and Barbazza.
Race Four: San Marino
Now to San Marino and the Williamses were 1-2 in qualifying with
Prost on pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Wendlinger and
Andretti. At the start, Prost was passed by Hill and Senna (who had
already got ahead of Schumacher). Hill led Senna, Prost,
Schumacher, Wendlinger and Andretti at the end of lap 1.
Hill pulled away quickly while Senna held up Prost. Prost passed
Senna on lap 8 and set off after Hill. It was time for the stops
and Senna got ahead of Prost in these stops. On lap 17, Prost
audaciously overtook both Hill and Senna at Tosa in the presence of
backmarkers. At the same time, Senna got ahead of Hill. Hill didn't
last long, retiring with brake failure on lap 21. Both McLarens
soon went out, Andretti from fifth on lap 33 by spinning off and
Senna from second on lap 43 with a hydraulic failure. In between,
Alesi, who took fifth after Andretti's spin retired with clutch
failure.
Schumacher was now second and Wendlinger was third but Wendlinger
retired with engine failure on lap 49, giving third to Brundle.
Prost won from Schumacher, Brundle, Lehto,
Philippe Alliot and Barbazza.
Race Five: Spain
As usual, the Williamses took 1-2 in qualifying in Spain, with
Prost ahead of Hill, Senna, Schumacher, Patrese and Wendlinger. At
the start, Hill got ahead of Prost with no changes behind. Hill was
leading Prost, Senna, Schumacher, Patrese and Wendlinger.
Hill and Prost pulled away from the rest with Prost taking the lead
on lap 11. It was soon time for the stops but the stops changed
nothing except that the gap between Prost and Hill had increased
and that the one between Senna and Schumacher had decreased.
Schumacher attacked Senna but bounced over a sandtrap and lost 15
seconds but not a place. Meanwhile, Prost's car began to handle
oddly and Hill closed up on him. The gap was down to 2 seconds but
Hill's engine failed on lap 41.
Wendlinger only lasted a lap longer before troubles with his fuel
system forced him to retire. Prost won from Senna, Schumacher,
Patrese, Andretti and Berger.
Race Six: Monaco
Monaco was next and Prost took pole ahead of Schumacher, Senna,
Hill, Alesi and Patrese. Prost jumped the start with Berger getting
ahead of Patrese. The order was: Prost, Schumacher, Senna, Hill,
Alesi and Berger.
Then Prost was penalised for the jump start with a stop-go penalty.
He went on lap 12 but stalled the car as he was trying to exit.
Finally the problem was fixed but he was a lap down and in 17th.
Schumacher, now leading, pulled away as Alesi waved through
teammate Berger. Schumacher, comfortably ahead, suddenly slowed
down with a hydraulic problem on lap 33 and retired. The main
entertainment was provided by Prost as he climbed up the field
despite difficult overtaking at the Monaco street circuit.
It was time for the stops with no changes in the top 6 but Prost
was the big gainer as he climbed from 10th to 7th. This became 6th
and into the points when Patrese's engine failed on lap 54. Prost
passed Fittipaldi for fifth soon after. On lap 71, Berger attacked
Hill and there was contact. Hill rejoined but Berger was out
immediately. Senna won from Hill, Alesi, Prost, Fittipaldi and
Brundle.
Race Seven: Canada
There was a Noah's Ark ("two by two") formation in qualifying in
Canada as the Williamses were ahead of the Benettons and the
Ferraris. Prost took pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Patrese,
Berger and Alesi. At the start, Hill beat off Prost while the
Benettons were slow and were passed by Berger and the amazing Senna
(who had already got ahead of Brundle and then Alesi). Hill was
leading Prost, Berger, Senna, Schumacher and Patrese.
Senna was on a mission, passing Berger for third on lap 2. On lap
6, Prost took the lead from Hill. Soon afterwards, Schumacher
passed Berger with Patrese following him through five laps later.
The order stabilized at: Prost, Hill, Senna, Schumacher, Patrese
and Berger.
During the mid-race stops, Hill had a problem and dropped behind
Senna and Schumacher. Schumacher now set off after Senna. Senna,
with Schumacher right behind, pushed his car too hard and his
engine stalled. He was out. Prost won ahead of Schumacher, Hill,
Berger, Brundle and Wendlinger.
Race Eight: France
Now to France and with local hero Prost taking pole in all the
previous seven races, there was a massive turnout for qualifying
where the Williamses are usually dominant. The Williamses did take
1-2 in qualifying ahead of the Ligiers but it was Hill who took
pole ahead of Prost, Brundle, Blundell, Senna and Alesi. At the
start, the top 5 stayed the same while Schumacher got ahead of
Alesi. Hill led from Prost, Brundle, Blundell, Senna and
Schumacher.
The Williamses pulled away while Brundle pulled away from Blundell
who was holding up Senna and Schumacher. However, this ended when
Blundell, under pressure from Senna spun off on lap 21 into
retirement. It was time for the mid-race stops during which Prost
got ahead of Hill and Senna and Schumacher closed up on
Brundle.
During the second stops, Prost stayed ahead - just by two-tenths
while Senna and Schumacher got ahead of Brundle. Schumacher passed
Senna when the two were going through traffic and pulled away.
Prost won with Hill right behind to make it a Williams 1-2 ahead of
Schumacher, Senna, Brundle and Andretti.
Thus, at the halfway stage of the season, Prost led the World
Championship with 57 points. Senna was a further 12 points behind
in second with 45, Hill was third with 28, Schumacher was fourth
with 24, Brundle fifth with 9, Blundell sixth with 6, Herbert
seventh with 6 and Lehto eighth with 5. There were no real battles
in the Constructors Championship with Williams comfortably leading
with 85 points with McLaren 37 points behind in second with 48.
Benetton are third with 29 and Ligier were fourth with 15.
Race Nine: Great Britain
Now to Britain; with home favourite Nigel Mansell now plying his
trade in the US, British racing fans had taken Damon Hill to their
hearts, especially following his excellent start to the season. The
Williamses took 1-2 in qualifying with Prost on pole ahead of home
hero Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Patrese and Brundle. At the start,
Hill got ahead of Prost and Senna got by Schumacher. Through
Maggotts they went and Senna went round Prost to take second. The
fans went wild as Hill was leading ahead of Senna, Prost,
Schumacher, Patrese and Brundle.
While Hill pulled away at the front, Senna was holding up both
Prost and Schumacher. Finally Prost took the place on lap 7 but
Hill was already 5 second up the road. On lap 13, Schumacher passed
Senna for third and pulled away as the order settled down.
Gradually Prost closed up on Hill, narrowing the gap to 3 seconds
after the mid-race stops. There were no changes behind them either.
Then,
Luca Badoer crashed, bringing out
the Safety Car and reducing the 3 seconds gap between Hill and
Prost to nothing. The Safety car then went out but two laps later,
on lap 42, Hill's engine blew.
Brundle's engine failed on lap 54 when he was fifth. Finally, on
the last lap, Senna's car ran out of fuel. Prost won ahead of
Schumacher, Patrese, Herbert, Senna (who was classified fifth) and
Warwick.
Race Ten: Germany
The field went to Hockenheim now and the Williamses were 1-2 in
qualifying with Prost on pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Senna,
Blundell and Brundle. At the start, Prost was poor as usual and was
passed by Hill and Schumacher. Senna spun, dropping to the back but
gained one place immediately when Brundle spun as well at the
chicane, dropping to the back, behind Senna. Hill led Schumacher,
Prost, Blundell, Patrese and
Aguri
Suzuki into lap 2.
Prost was on a charge, passing Schumacher on lap 6. He closed up on
Hill three laps later. Behind, on the next lap, Berger tried to
pass Suzuki and they collided, with Suzuki spinning off. Yellow
flags were waved and Hill slowed down a little on the next lap.
Prost took his chance and passed Hill to lead. However, he was
given a stop-go penalty for the manoeuver, and dropped back to
fifth and was stuck behind Patrese.
The Williamses and Senna did not pit unlike the rest, and Hill was
left 15 seconds ahead of Prost with Senna up to seventh. The
Brazilian soon passed Berger for sixth and then Patrese for fifth
three laps later. Hill's lead was reduced to 8 seconds by the
penultimate lap and Prost had given up on the win when Hill's left
rear tyre punctured, spinning him out. Prost won ahead of
Schumacher, Blundell, Senna, Patrese and Berger.
Race Eleven: Hungary
As usual, the two Williamses were 1-2 in qualifying in Hungary with
Prost on pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Patrese and Berger.
At the parade lap, Prost stalled and had to start at the back. At
the start, Schumacher got pushed down by Senna, Berger (who was
already ahead of Patrese) and Patrese. Hill was leading Senna,
Berger, Patrese, Schumacher and Alesi.
Schumacher tried to pass Patrese on lap 4 but spun and dropped back
to 10th. Both McLarens had throttle problems, Andretti slowing down
in front of Schumacher on lap 16 and making Schumacher spin again,
dropping down to 14th, right behind the recovering Prost. Senna
also retired on lap 18 with throttle problems as everyone pitted
except the Williamses and Schumacher. This left Hill ahead of
Patrese, Prost, Schumacher, Berger and Alesi.
Then, Prost had to go into the pits because of problems with his
rear wing. He rejoined seven laps behind. On lap 23, Alesi spun off
and retired as Patrese waved through Schumacher who took second.
However, he retired three laps later with fuel pump problems.
Berger pitted from third and rejoined in fifth but he quickly
passed Brundle and then Warwick to get back third. Hill took his
first ever win ahead of Patrese, Berger, Warwick, Brundle and
Wendlinger.
Race Twelve: Belgium
In Belgium, the grid was similar with Williamses 1-2 in qualifying,
Prost taking pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Alesi, Senna and
Suzuki. At the start, Senna got ahead of both Schumacher and Alesi
with Alesi also getting by Schumacher. The order at the end of lap
1 was: Prost, Hill, Senna, Alesi, Schumacher and Suzuki.
Alesi retired then with suspension troubles on lap 4, releasing
Schumacher. Schumacher then set off after Senna and went to the
grass to pass him on lap 10. The first stops did not change
anything, with Prost leading from Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Suzuki
and Herbert. Suzuki's gearbox failed on lap 15 and he retired.
Prost had troubles during his second stop, and when Hill and
Schumacher had made theirs, they were ahead.
Prost smashed the lap record on lap 41 in his chase of Schumacher,
but he found out that he was just a tenth quicker and settled for
third. Hill won, wrapping up the Constructors Championship for
Williams with Schumacher and Prost close behind ahead of Senna,
Herbert and Patrese.
Thus, with three-quarters of the season gone, Prost was a full 28
points ahead and could sense the championship, having 81 points to
Senna's 53. Hill was third with 48, Schumacher was fourth with 42,
Patrese was fifth with 18, Brundle was sixth with 11, Herbert was
seventh with 11 and Blundell was eighth with 10. In the
Constructors Championship, Williams were World Champions with 129
points ahead of Benetton who were second with 60, McLaren close
behind in third with 56 and Ligier a surprising fourth with 21 -
their best performance in some years.
Race Thirteen: Italy
Now Italy and the Williamses took 1-2 in qualifying with Prost on
pole as usual ahead of Hill. Alesi made the Ferrari fans happy with
third ahead of Senna, Schumacher and Berger. At the start, Alesi
got ahead of Hill and as Senna tried to do the same there was
contact, Senna dropping to ninth and Hill dropping to tenth. Midway
through the lap, Schumacher took second from Alesi. Prost led
Schumacher, Alesi, Berger, Herbert and Brundle into lap 2.
At the end of lap 8, Prost was leading and both Senna and Hill were
outside the points. Prost's hopes of winning the championship
increased further as Senna, trying to take sixth from Brundle, hit
Brundle and both retired. Hill, now sixth had just gained two
places from the collision and gained two more when Herbert spun off
on lap 15 and then, on the next lap, Berger's suspension failed.
Then, he would pass Alesi on lap 18 and as Schumacher's engine
failed on lap 22, Hill was second, 5 seconds behind Prost. Prost
pushed hard and Hill could not catch up enough.
In 26 laps, the gap was down to 2 seconds and it was clear that
Hill was too far to catch up at the correct rate. On lap 49, with
less than 5 laps to go, with one hand on the trophy, Prost's engine
failed. He was out and his celebrations would be delayed. Hill won
with Alesi a fine second ahead of Andretti, Wendlinger, Patrese and
Comas.
Race Fourteen: Portugal
Two major news stories broke as the teams descended on Estoril,
Prost announcing his retirement at the end of the season and
Andretti being fired from McLaren after a poor season (his podium
place in Italy notwithstanding) and being replaced by
Häkkinen.
The Williamses were 1-2 in qualifying ahead of the McLarens but
Hill, desperate to keep his Championship hopes alive took pole from
Prost, with Häkkinen surprisingly ahead of Senna with Alesi and
Schumacher behind. However, Hill stalled on the parade lap and had
to start at the back. At the start, Prost got squeezed out by the
McLarens and Alesi, with Alesi getting ahead of the McLarens with
Senna ahead of Häkkinen. Alesi led Senna, Häkkinen, Prost,
Schumacher and Berger.
The top six stayed together but the Williamses and Schumacher were
on a one-stop strategy unlike the McLarens and Ferraris. On lap 20,
Senna's engine blew as Alesi, Häkkinen and Schumacher pitted, with
Alesi losing out to both. This left Prost leading from Blundell,
Hill, Häkkinen, Schumacher and Alesi. Schumacher passed Häkkinen on
lap 25 and pulled away. Prost would stop on lap 29 but Schumacher
would rejoin ahead. When Hill stopped as well, Schumacher was
leading from Prost, Häkkinen, Hill, Alesi and Berger.
On lap 33, Häkkinen crashed into the wall at the last corner and
Berger's suspension failed three laps later. Blundell crashed from
sixth on lap 52 as Prost began to hassle Schumacher. However,
second place was enough for Prost to win the championship, so the
French driver did not take any risks. Patrese was fifth but he too
crashed on lap 64. Schumacher had a minor off but still just kept
his lead. Schumacher won from new World Champion Prost, Hill,
Alesi, Wendlinger and Brundle.
With only two more races to go, Prost was the World Champion with
87 points but there was battle for second between Hill, Senna and
Schumacher. Hill was second with 62, Senna was third with 53 and
Schumacher was fourth with 52. Behind, Patrese was fifth with 20,
Alesi was sixth with 13, Brundle was seventh with 12 and Herbert
was eighth with 11. In the Constructors Championship, Williams were
the World Champions with 149 points but there was a battle for
second between Benetton with 72 and McLaren with 60. Ferrari were
fourth with 23.
Race Fifteen: Japan
In Japan now and Prost took pole ahead of Senna, Häkkinen,
Schumacher, Berger and Hill. At the start, Senna got ahead of Prost
while Berger took Schumacher.
Eddie
Irvine, the fifth occupant of the second Jordan this year, then
got by both Schumacher and Hill. Hill briefly passed Schumacher in
the esses but Schumacher retook the position. The order was: Senna,
Prost, Häkkinen, Berger, Irvine and Schumacher. Schumacher would
pass Irvine on lap 2 with Hill getting ahead two laps later.
Schumacher and Hill then closed in on Berger. At the end of lap 9,
the three came out of the final chicane nose to tail and Hill
passed Schumacher on the start/finish straight to take 5th place
away. On lap 11, Hill got a run on Berger coming out of the 130R
and Berger took the inside line going into the chicane. Hill tried
to pass on the outside but was not able to complete the move.
Schumacher, having stayed to the inside, couldn't stop fast enough
as Hill turned in behind Berger and hit Hill's right rear wheel,
damaging his left front suspension and putting himself out. Hill
was able to keep going and inherited 4th on the next lap when
Berger came in for tires.
Meanwhile, Prost inherited the lead when Senna pitted for tires.
Shortly after it began to rain, which was an advantage for Prost
and other drivers who had not yet stopped for tires since they
would have to make one less stop. Senna began to catch Prost as the
track got wetter and on lap 21, as the rain intensified, Senna
passed Prost on the approach to the Spoon curve. At the end of the
lap, Senna was two seconds in front and the two both pitted for
wets. Senna pulled away rapidly in the wet conditions, building
over a 30 second lead by lap 27. Prost then went off at the first
corner but was able to rejoin without losing time to Senna, who was
delayed by traffic. The rain then stopped and drivers began coming
in for slick tires as the track began to dry. Hill rejoined after
his pit stop nearly a lap down to Senna, who was still on wets.
Unable to lap Hill, Senna was re-passed by Irvine, who had been
lapped but was chasing Hill for 4th position. Irvine, who was also
still on wets, challenged Hill in the first corner but was not able
to make the pass stick while Senna waited behind to lap the pair.
Senna lost 15 seconds to Prost by the time he forced his way back
past Irvine and Hill let him through. At the end of lap 42, after
he and Prost had made their pit stops for slicks, Senna's lead was
back up to 24 seconds. With only 12 laps remaining, Prost never
challenged after that and settled for second. Häkkinen's 3rd place
was his first podium finish.
Behind, Barrichello had got Irvine during the stops for wets and
then Berger's engine failed on lap 41. With 4 laps to go and
battling with Derek Warwick for 6th, Irvine ran into the back of
Warwick under braking on the approach to the chicane and knocked
him out of the race. Irvine was able to continue and finish with a
point in his first grand prix. Irvine's debut was slightly marred
in a post-race altercation with Ayrton Senna, who had strong words
and a punch for the Ulsterman.
Senna won ahead of Prost, Häkkinen, Hill, Barrichello and
Irvine.
Race Sixteen: Australia
The last race of the season was in Adelaide and Senna prevented the
Williams team from a clean sweep of poles by taking pole ahead of
Prost, Hill, Schumacher, Häkkinen and Berger. At the start, the top
4 stayed the same while Berger got ahead of Häkkinen.
While Senna pulled out a small lead, the two Williamses and
Schumacher stayed together. Schumacher passed Hill on lap 8 and
attacked Prost. He pitted early on lap 15 and rejoined in fourth
but his engine failed on lap 20. During the stops, Häkkinen was
slow and Alesi and Brundle got ahead of him. His engine failed on
lap 29.
During the second round of stops, Senna kept his 10 second lead
while Alesi got ahead of Berger and Patrese got ahead of Brundle.
On lap 61, Hill tried to catch Prost by surprise to take second. As
Prost moved over to block, Hill had to back off and he spun, losing
time but no places. Patrese was set to finish sixth in his 256th
and last race but his fuel pressure dropped on the last lap. Senna
won with Prost finishing his last race in second ahead of Hill,
Alesi, Berger and Brundle.
At the end of the season, Prost finished off his career with the
World Championship with 99 points with arch-rival Senna second with
73, Hill third with 69, Schumacher fourth with 52, Patrese fifth
with 20, Alesi sixth with 16, Brundle seventh with 13 and Berger
eighth with 12. In the Constructors' Championship, Williams were
dominant World Champions with 168 points, double the tally of
second-placed McLaren who got 84 and just beat Benetton with 72
into third. Ferrari were fourth with 28 - better than 1992, but
still a disappointing season by their high standards.
With Prost not defending his title, the Williams cars would once
again bear numbers 0 and 2 for 1994.
Drivers and constructors
The following
teams
and
drivers competed in
the 1993
FIA Formula
One World
Championship.
Formula One 1993 race schedule
Season review
Grands Prix
1993 Constructors Championship final standings
1993 Drivers Championship final standings
Notes
, São
Paulo
, Imola
, Barcelona
, Monte
Carlo
, Montreal
, Budapest
, Spa
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