Ayrton Senna did not make this public, but he was disgusted with his Lotus. It had a good engine, however, the team no longer invested in the car. It was losing it’s competitive edge and the proof of this regression was the fifth placing on the starting grid in Estoril.
Gerhard Berger was ecstatic, with his first pole position of his career, achieved with the help of his Ferrari in full force. Senna congratulated him personally.
When the green light was lit for the start of the Portuguese Grand Prix, the Brazilian driver set out for the best spot, but with a mediocre performance from his car, he finished in seventh, two laps behind the winner, Alain Prost (McLaren).
Irritated at the events of the entire weekend, he half smiled when he was asked if he had signed a contract with McLaren for 1988. He replied vaguely:
“You are wishing me a Merry Christmas in September.”
portuguese gp
1º
G. Berger
2º
N. Mansell
3º
A. Prost
4º
N. Piquet
5º
Ayrton Senna
6º
M. Alboreto
7º
R. Patrese
8º
S. Johansson
9º
T. Boutsen
10º
T. Fabi
11º
E. Cheever
12º
D. Warwick
13º
A. de Cesaris
14º
A. Nannini
15º
S. Nakajima
16º
C. Danner
17º
M. Brundle
18º
R. Arnoux
19º
P. Alliot
20º
A. Campos
21º
P. Streiff
22º
I. Capelli
23º
P. Ghinzani
24º
J. Palmer
25º
A.Caffi
26º
F. Forini
70
laps
26
cars
12
Retirements
1’19”282
Fastest lap
1º
sunny Weather
Podium
1º
A. Prost
2º
A. Berg
3º
N. Piquet
7º
final position
2º
position in championship following the race
5º
starting place
–
championship points accumulated
1’20”217
best lap
“You are wishing me a Merry Christmas in September.” (on a possible move to McLaren).
