No driver ever admits to being superstitious, but all of them carry lucky charms with them and a majority have some sort of ritual before getting into the car.
But what happened at Monza would make even the greatest skeptics’ hair stand on end.
Ayrton Senna won an unattainable pole position, one second ahead of Prost. The McLarens raced as favorites once again, even in Ferrari territory.
During the race, Prost started off better and jumped in front, but he was passed by Senna on the first chicane. The race was practically set, being led by Ayrton Senna.
Until Prost retired on lap 34, citing engine trouble. On lap 49, two to the end, while hastily attempting to pass backmarker Jo Schlesser, Senna crashed in the middle of the corner and retired from the race.
For the devoted Ferrari fans, however, the accident was sent by Commander Enzo Ferrari, who had passed away the month before.
This could be the only explanation for the improbable win by Ferrari twosome, Gerhard Berger e Michele Alboreto.
ITALIAN GP
1º
Ayrton Senna
2º
A. Prost
3º
G. Berger
4º
M. Alboreto
5º
E. Cheever
6º
D. Warwick
7º
N. Piquet
8º
T. Boutsen
9º
A. Nannini
10º
R. Patrese
11º
I. Capelli
12º
S. Nakajima
13º
M. Gugelmin
14º
P. Martini
15º
B. Schneider
16º
P. Ghinzani
17º
N. Larini
18º
A. de Cesaris
19º
L. Perez-Sala
20º
P. Alliot
21º
A. Caffi
22º
J. L. Schlesser
23º
P. Streiff
24º
R. Arnoux
25º
Y. Dalmas
26º
J. Bailey
51
laps
26
cars
13
Retirements
1’29”070
Fastest lap
1º
Sunny Weather
Podium
1º
G. Berger
2º
M. Alboreto
3º
E. Cheever
–
final position (retired on lap 49)
1º
position in championship following the race
1º
starting place
–
championship points accumulated
1’29”569
best lap
I was disappointed with the crash, but what’s done is done.