Facial palsy did not prevent Ayrton Senna from participating in the races. But, clearly, he was not in his best physical condition when he arrived in Nürburgring.

This time, he did not complain about his 12th position on the grid because – as he joked – the sightseeing part of that particular Grand Prix was almost as appealing as the race itself.

His participation in that race basically ended there, leaving him time for a walk through the German Black Forest.

He performed well and gained three positions soon after the start, but he was one of seven drivers involved in a multi-car accident on the third corner and returned earlier to the boxes with Keke Rosberg (Williams), Gerhard Berger (ATS) and Marc Surer (Arrows).

Ayrton Senna, from that moment on, began to prepare for his last race with Toleman.