1985 Portuguese Grand Prix

Lore & Background

Senna demonstrated his proficiency in wet racing by finishing the race at least one lap ahead of every car except second-place finisher Michele Alboreto. Jonathan Palmer was the first driver to retire, bringing his Zakspeed into the pits with suspension problems. Wet weather caused spinouts frequently early in the race. Philippe Alliot retired trackside for this reason on lap 3.

François Hesnault retired trackside with an electrical problem on the same lap. On lap 4, Riccardo Patrese made contact with Stefan Johansson while attempting to pass him on the inside line; both cars spun into a gravel trap. Patrese was beached, and Johansson was able to rejoin after a delay. Soon after, Stefan Bellof and Manfred Winkelhock made contact; both restarted and rejoined.

By lap 10, Senna had pulled away from 2nd position by almost 13 seconds. Elio de Angelis, Alain Prost, and Michele Alboreto (in order) were closely contending second position, and Derek Warwick was 15 seconds behind them in 5th. Gerhard Berger and Pierluigi Martini both spun off and retired on lap 12. The top four held steady to lap 15, with Niki Lauda and Patrick Tambay in 5th and 6th, 25 seconds behind 4th place Alboreto.

Keke Rosberg spun his car on track on lap 16, and it came to rest in the middle of the track, causing a local yellow; his car remained there for numerous laps. At 20 laps, Senna had extended his lead on de Angelis to 30 seconds, with Prost and Alboreto still close behind. The two Renaults of Tambay and Warwick were more than a minute behind Senna in 6th and 7th. Only 9 cars remained on the lead lap.

Nelson Piquet pitted repeatedly around lap 25, finally retiring with a tyre issue. Rain continued and got heavier. Near lap 30, Mauro Baldi spun out and ended on track with damage, leaving mud on the racing surface, and Alain Prost retired with damage after spinning and striking the rear of his car on the track barrier. Still in the lead, Senna signaled to race officials asking them to stop the race.

The race was not stopped or interrupted, but continued at an unusually slow pace. The race was originally scheduled for 70 laps. At the beginning of lap 67, Senna was given a 'one lap to go' indication, as the race had exceeded the two-hour time limit. Senna crossed the line having led every lap, with only Alboreto on the lead lap.

Reader's Guide

The race was held at Estoril on 21 April 1985 as the second round of the 1985 FIA Formula One World Championship. Ayrton Senna won from pole position, leading every lap. Only Michele Alboreto finished on the lead lap. The race was shortened to 67 laps due to the two-hour time limit.