1989 San Marino Grand Prix

Lore & Background

The Grand Prix had a total of 39 entrants, the largest amount in Formula One history. This record was equalled in the following 14 races of the season but, as of 2024, it has not been broken. The race was red-flagged on lap 4 after Gerhard Berger's Ferrari crashed at Tamburello due to a mechanical failure. Berger escaped with broken ribs and second-degree burns. After a half-hour delay, the race was restarted and run a further 55 laps on aggregate timing. Ayrton Senna won from Alain Prost, with Alessandro Nannini third.

Reader's Guide

The event was held at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. Thirty-nine cars were entered by twenty different constructors. Thirteen teams used Goodyear tyres, seven used Pirelli. Larrousse introduced the Lola LC89, Tyrrell introduced the 018, and several teams brought modifications. Gabriele Tarquini replaced the paralysed Philippe Streiff at AGS starting from this event. In qualifying, McLaren locked out the front row, over 1.5 seconds faster than the Ferrari of Nigel Mansell. The race restart saw Senna pass Prost on the first lap, leading to a dispute over a pre-race agreement.

Did You Know?

• The 1989 San Marino Grand Prix had 39 entrants, the largest in Formula One history, a record that as of 2024 has not been broken.
• Gabriele Tarquini replaced Philippe Streiff at AGS starting from the San Marino Grand Prix, not the Brazilian Grand Prix.