It was the end of an era at Formula 1 – an era of victory and rivalry. Alain Prost, the Professor, with 199 Grands Prix and 51 victories, announced that he would retire at the end of the season.
And he retired a four-time champion, after finishing the race in second, behind the winner Michael Schumacher.
Ayrton Senna started in fourth and retired on the 19th lap due to engine failure.
He left Estoril without commenting at all on the career retirement of his greatest Formula 1 rival. He stayed one week longer in the circuit to test out a new engine for his McLaren.
portuguese gp
1º
D. Hill
2º
A. Prost
3º
M. Hakkinen
4º
Ayrton Senna
5º
J. Alesi
6º
M. Schumacher
7º
R. Patrese
8º
G. Berger
9º
D. Warwick
10º
M. Blundell
11º
M. Brundle
12º
J. Lehto
13º
K. Wendlinger
14º
J. Herbert
15º
R. Barrichello
16º
A. Suzuki
17º
A. de Cesaris
18º
P. Lamy
19º
P. Martini
20º
P. Alliot
21º
U. Katayama
22º
E. Comas
23º
E. Naspetti
24º
C. Fittipaldi
25º
M. Alboreto
26º
L. Badoer
71
laps
26
cars
10
Retirements
1’14”859
fastest lap
1º
sunny weather
podium
1º
M. Schumacher
2º
A. Prost
3º
D. Hill
–
final position (retired on lap 19)
3º
position in championship following the race
4º
starting place
0
championship points accumulated
1’18”365
best lap
The engine suddenly exploded, with a loud bang.
