Ayrton Senna had a piece of paper folded four times which was slipping through his fingers while he talked to Brazilian journalists. He spoke in general about the race, but did not reveal the tire tactic and acknowledged Williams’ superiority. But he didn’t stop fussing with the paper.
He left for qualifying and won pole position. Once again, he would start out in front in Italy.
During the race, Ayrton Senna maintained the lead after start, seriously pressured by Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese. He fought for 32 laps, until tire change whenhe was passed.
He wanted a good result, and so he moved into high gear, setting the fastest lap time. He passed Gerhard Berger then Alain Prost, settling into second place.
And what about the paper? Ayrton Senna counted his points in the championship. He scribbled six more for the podium in Italy and said:
“I only need four more or perhaps three to close out the tab.”
itALIAN GP
1º
Ayrton Senna
2º
N. Mansell
3º
G. Berger
4º
R. Patrese
5º
A. Prost
6º
J. Alesi
7º
M. Schumacher
8º
N. Piquet
9º
R. Moreno
10º
P. Martini
11º
M. Blundell
12º
I. Capelli
13º
S. Modena
14º
A. de Cesaris
15º
S. Nakajima
16º
E. Pirro
17º
G. Morbidelli
18º
M. Gugelmin
19º
M. Brundle
20º
J. Lehto
21º
T. Boutsen
22º
E. Comas
23º
N. Larini
24º
E. Bernard
25º
M. Hakkinen
26º
O. Grouillard
53
laps
26
cars
10
Retirements
1’26”061
fastest lap
1º
rainy weather
podium
1º
N. Mansell
2º
Ayrton Senna
3º
A. Prost
2º
final position
1º
position in championship following the race
1º
starting place
6
championship points accumulated
1’26”061
best lap
“I only needed four more or perhaps three to close out the tab (the championship title)”
