| 1993 FIA Formula One World Championship season | |
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The 1993 Formula One season was the 44th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1993 FIA Formula One World Championship, which commenced on March 14, 1993 and ended on November 7 after sixteen races. Alain Prost won his fourth Drivers' world championship, and Williams-Renault 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 number 0 was used instead, by Hill, while Prost used the number 2.
- Uncertainty surrounded the McLaren team, whose iconic driver Ayrton Senna was reluctant to re-sign for 1993 as Honda had withdrawn from the sport and the team were not expected to be competitive with customer Ford engines. McLaren signed Michael Andretti, a successful IndyCar driver and son of 1978 World Champion Mario, and Mika Häkkinen, who had impressed for Lotus in 1991 and 1992. Senna eventually signed on a race-by-race basis and was partnered by Andretti for most of the season, Häkkinen taking on a test driver role.
- Benetton retained Michael Schumacher, but Martin Brundle was replaced by Italian veteran Riccardo Patrese, released by Williams.
- Scuderia Ferrari retained Jean Alesi, but Ivan Capelli and Nicola Larini had both disappointed in 1992 and so Gerhard Berger returned to the team after three years at McLaren.
- Lotus retained Johnny Herbert and took on Alessandro Zanardi, who replaced Häkkinen. When Zanardi had a huge crash in the Belgian Grand Prix, he was replaced by Portuguese newcomer Pedro Lamy.
- Tyrrell retained Andrea de Cesaris and took on Japan's Ukyo Katayama, who moved from Larrousse.
- 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. This was the first, and only, time in Ligier's history that they did not have a French driver in their line-up (although they had Éric Bernard as a test driver).
- Footwork Arrows lost Michele Alboreto and replaced him with British veteran Derek Warwick, returning to the sport after two years away. Aguri Suzuki was retained as number two driver.
- The BMS Scuderia Italia team switched from Dallara to Lola chassis and took on Michele Alboreto and newcomer Luca Badoer.
- Jordan had lost Stefano Modena and Mauricio Gugelmin to retirement after a frustrating 1992. Young Brazilian Rubens Barrichello made his debut with the team, while five drivers filled the second seat: Ivan Capelli, Thierry Boutsen, Marco Apicella, test driver Emanuele Naspetti and finally Eddie Irvine.
- Larrousse lost both Ukyo Katayama and Bertrand Gachot. Therefore, they signed the returning Philippe Alliot and Erik Comas, who moved from Ligier.
- Minardi retained Christian Fittipaldi and took on Fabrizio Barbazza, who was later replaced by Pierluigi Martini, returning after spending 1992 with BMS Scuderia Italia.
- The Swiss Sauber team were the only new team this year, with Ilmor engines and much-publicised backing by Mercedes-Benz, who were appearing in F1 for the first time since the Le Mans disaster of 1955. Their drivers were Finland's JJ Lehto, who signed from BMS Scuderia Italia, and Austria's Karl Wendlinger, who had impressed with March in 1992.
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: Senna, Schumacher, Alesi, Herbert, de Cesaris, Suzuki and Fittipaldi.
The worldwide recession of the early 1990s had taken its toll: the March and Fondmetal teams had folded in the off-season, while Brabham and Andrea Moda Formula had failed to complete the 1992 season. Thus, there were only 13 teams on the grid at the opening race of 1993, in South Africa. In addition, numerous car number changes had taken place:
- Williams used the numbers 0 and 2, as described above.
- Benetton took the numbers 5 and 6, which Williams had used since 1984.
- McLaren took the numbers 7 and 8, vacated by Brabham.
- Jordan took the numbers 14 and 15, vacated by Fondmetal.
- Larrousse took the numbers 19 and 20, which Benetton and its predecessor Toleman had used since 1984.
- New team Sauber took the numbers 29 and 30, which Larrousse had used since 1987. These were now the highest numbers.
- The numbers 16 and 17, vacated by March, remained vacant until 1995.
Rule changes[]
The year saw the qualifying system change. With only 26 cars, it was decided that the fastest 24 would be permitted to start the race. The teams unanimously chose to raise this to 25 to ensure that every team could qualify at least one car, which mainly benefitted BMS Scuderia Italia. Furthermore, from the Brazilian Grand Prix onwards, all drivers could only do 12 laps each in both qualifying sessions.[1]
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 Williams 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. Behind him, Andretti overreacted to an aggressive manoeuvre from Wendlinger and moved right into the path of Berger, with whom he collided. Andretti then crashed heavily into the tyre barriers, pirouetting airborne directly over Berger's car, but thankfully both were uninjured. Those two, 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, ran 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 Williams 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. From there, Ayrton Senna then exhibited a masterful display of car control and bravery, passing four cars (including 3 future world champions) over the course of a single lap to take the lead of the race. Senna quickly passed Schumacher at the third corner. He then went after Wendlinger, passing him through the Craner Curves. Senna went after Hill next and took second at Coppice Corner. Prost was the last target, and Senna overtook his rival at the Melbourne Hairpin. In perhaps the greatest performance in an opening lap in Formula One history, Senna had gone from fifth to first in a single lap. He now led, from Prost, Hill, Barrichello, Schumacher and Lehto.
Behind Senna, and also on the opening lap, Schumacher got past Wendlinger. However, when Andretti tried to overtake the Austrian, he hit him instead, and both were out on the spot. For the Andretti, it was the third consecutive retirement due to collision damage in the first three races.
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 Williams stopped for wets while Senna stayed out. It was the correct decision because the rain stopped again. The Williamses stopped yet again for dry tyres. 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 by more than a minute from Hill followed by Prost (one lap down), Herbert, Patrese and Barbazza.
Race Four: San Marino[]
Now to San Marino and the Williams 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 Williams 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 Williams 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 Williams are usually dominant. The Williams 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 Williams 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 Williams 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 – again. 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.
Season review[]
Grands Prix[]
Drivers[]
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† Drivers did not finish the Grand Prix, but were classified as they completed over 90% of the race distance.
Constructors[]
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External links[]
References[]
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