Alain Prost won his third Drivers World Championship, and McLaren won the Constructors Championship. The climate as the Formula One circus arrived at Jacarepagua was one of much optimism in what many saw as a new age, with many revelling in the brutal and much more appealing sounds of the V10 and V12 engines. After the San Marino Grand Prix (2nd race of the season), Prost seemed disgruntled and said he wished to not make a comment on the race, other than that orders were not respected (Senna finished 1st and Prost 2nd). Senna refused to comment on the matter. Before the race at Monaco, Prost said he wanted nothing to do with (Senna) and refused to speak with him. The Italian Grand Prix sealed the end of Prosts relationship with McLaren. Having become progressively distanced from the team due to his conflict with Senna, he announced his switch to Ferrari for 1990, and after inheriting the race win when Senna retired from the lead late on, he proceeded to give the trophy he had won to the tifosi. Then the Formula One circus arrived at Suzuka, Japan for the now infamous penultimate round for the championship. Prost said he would not leave the door open for his teammate, who he felt had made far too many risky moves on him. By the end of lap 46, with 7 to go, the gap was just over a second. Senna, further back than he had been earlier in the race, made a move on Prost in the chicane before the start-finish straight. True to his word, Prost closed the gap and the two skidded into the escape road and both engines stalled. Prost jumped from his car. Senna, however, got a push from the marshals and returned to the track. After pitting for repairs, Senna worked his way past both Williams and the Benettons to take a three second victory. However, his altercation with Prost seven laps earlier meant he had missed the chicane and, according to FIA and FISA president Jean Marie Balestre, had not completed the lap. It is worth noting that many drivers in previous races had used the escape roads near chicanes after on-track incidents, as is customary, without receiving penalties. He was disqualified.McLaren went to appeal the decision. With the matter hanging in the air, Senna went on record saying it was a plot and conspiracy against him by FIA and FISA president Jean Marie Balestre who he said favored Alain Prost. Senna would comment again on the matter after sealing his 1991 championship, reiterating his belief that he had been unfairly treated.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 20:09:35 +0000
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