With the championship open for competition between Senna and Prost, the latter had once again become a challenging opponent.
So much so that during the Canadian Grand Prix, something rare happened: Alain Prost started off in pole position, with Senna in the front row, second position.
Soon after the start off, five cars remained at the start line: Nigel Mansell (Ferrari) and Alessandro Nannini (Benetton) were disqualified for a pre-race violation, while Pierluigi Martini (Minardi), Stefano Modena (Brabham) and Michele Alboreto (Tyrrell) retired following a collision.
It was raining. Alain Prost, under these conditions, could not hold Senna back for long, and was passed on the second lap.
But it wasn’t an easy race for anyone. The sun came out and dried the track, requiring drivers to put slick tires on. Riccardo Patrese (Williams) and Derek Warwick (Arrows) were now in the lead.
Then, another storm came, requiring another changing of tires. Conditions became ideal for Senna to assume the lead and race to victory. When Senna was three laps to the end, the Honda engine blew. It was the end of the race for the McLaren driver.
With such an atypical race, the podium was composed of the unlikeliest of drivers: Thierry Boutsen (Williams), Riccardo Patrese and Andrea de Cessaris (Dallara).
canadian GP
1º
A. Prost
2º
Ayrton Senna
3º
R. Patrese
4º
G. Berger
5º
N. Mansell
6º
T. Boutsen
7º
S. Modena
8º
A.Caffi
9º
A. de Cesaris
10º
P. Alliot
11º
P. Martini
12º
D. Warwick
13º
A. Nannini
14º
J. Palmer
15º
N. Larini
16º
E. Cheever
17º
M. Gugelmin
18º
S. Johansson
19º
N. Piquet
20º
M. Alboreto
21º
I. Capelli
22º
R. Arnoux
23º
C. Danner
24º
L. Perez-Sala
25º
G. Tarquini
26º
R. Moreno
69
laps
26
cars
16
Retirements
1’31”925
fastest lap
1º
rainy weather
podium
1º
T. Boutsen
2º
R. Patrese
3º
A. de Cesaris
–
final position (retired on lap 66)
2º
position in championship following the race
2º
starting place
0
championship points accumulated
1’32”143
best lap
