1993 Japanese Grand Prix

Lore & Background

The 53-lap race was won by Ayrton Senna, driving a McLaren-Ford, after he started from second position. Alain Prost finished second in a Williams-Renault, having started from pole position, while Senna's teammate Mika Häkkinen came third, achieving his first podium finish. Jordan drivers Rubens Barrichello and Eddie Irvine (the latter making his F1 debut) scored their first points by finishing fifth and sixth respectively. Irvine was subsequently punched by Senna for unlapping himself during the race. Two other drivers made their F1 debuts at this race, Jean-Marc Gounon and Toshio Suzuki. Only 24 cars were entered, following the withdrawal of the BMS Scuderia Italia team from F1 in the run-up to the race.

In Their Own Story

The air at Suzuka hung heavy with anticipation as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the tarmac. Alain Prost sat in the cockpit of the blue-and-white FW15B, his mind calm despite the roar of the crowd. He knew that a single mistake could cost him everything, but the car beneath him felt like an extension of his own will. As he crossed the finish line to claim victory, the weight of history settled upon him—a final bow before hanging up his helmet forever.

Reader's Guide

Qualifying: Prost took the final pole of his career ahead of Senna, Häkkinen, Schumacher, Berger and Hill. Race: At the start, Senna got ahead of Prost while Berger took Schumacher. Eddie Irvine then got by both Schumacher and Hill. The order was: Senna, Prost, Häkkinen, Berger, Irvine and Schumacher. Schumacher would pass Irvine on lap 2 with Hill getting ahead two laps later. Schumacher and Hill then closed in on Berger. On lap 11, Schumacher hit Hill's right rear wheel, damaging his left front suspension and putting himself out. Hill inherited 4th on the next lap when Berger came in for tyres. Prost inherited the lead when Senna pitted for tyres. Shortly after it began to rain. On lap 21, as the rain intensified, Senna passed Prost on the approach to the Spoon curve. Both pitted for wets. Senna pulled away rapidly, building over a 30-second lead by lap 27. Prost then went off at the first corner but rejoined. The rain stopped and drivers came in for slicks. Senna lost 15 seconds to Prost by the time he forced his way back past Irvine and Hill let him through. At the end of lap 42, after pit stops for slicks, Senna's lead was back up to 24 seconds. With only 12 laps remaining, Prost settled for second. Häkkinen's 3rd place was his first podium finish. Behind, Barrichello had got Irvine during the stops for wets and then Berger's engine failed on lap 41. With 4 laps to go, Irvine ran into the back of Derek Warwick under braking and knocked him out of the race. Irvine was able to continue and finish with a point. Irvine's debut was slightly marred in a post-race altercation with Ayrton Senna who punched him. Senna won ahead of Prost, Häkkinen, Hill, Barrichello and Irvine. Fastest lap of the race was set by Prost, the last of his career.

Did You Know?

• This was the only time Prost, Senna and Häkkinen shared the podium together.
• Eddie Irvine was punched by Ayrton Senna after the race for unlapping himself during the race.
• Mika Häkkinen achieved his first podium finish at this race.
• Alain Prost took the final pole position of his career at this race.