For the French Grand Prix, Senna was placing his hope in the new active (or smart) suspension, for his McLaren. He even joked before qualifying:
“Let’s see what its IQ is.”
It wasn’t enough, however, to take the lead ahead of Williams: Mansell won his seventh pole position of the season and Senna placed third on the grid.
Senna couldn’t verify the power increase from the new engine Honda had prepared for the race because he pulled out on the first lap. He was preparing to take the first corner when he was rammed by Michael Schumacher.
It was a short race and a huge letdown. Nigel Mansell won again, with Patrese and Martine Brundle (Benetton) completing the podium.
french gp
1º
N. Mansell
2º
R. Patrese
3º
Ayrton senna
4º
G. Berger
5º
M. Schumacher
6º
J. Alesi
7º
M. Brundle
8º
I. Capelli
9º
T. Boutsen
10º
E. Comas
11º
M. Hakkinen
12º
J. Herbert
13º
B. Gachot
14º
M. Alboreto
15º
A. Suzuki
16º
G. Morbidelli
17º
J. Lehto
18º
U. Katayama
19º
A. de Cesaris
20º
S. Modena
21º
K. Wendlinger
22º
O. Grouillard
23º
G. Tarquini
24º
M. Gugelmin
25º
P. Martini
26º
A. Chiesa
69
turns
26
cars
15
leaving
1’17”070
fastest lap
rainy weather
Podium
1º
N. Mansell
2º
R. Patrese
3º
M. Brundle
–
Final position
4º
Championship position after the race
3º
Starting position
–
Points added to the Championship
–
best lap
Third place would be the maximum for me in a normal race. So it was logical.
