The Formula 1 circus descends on a revived Interlagos for the second round of the 1990 World Championship. Twenty-six years ago today (Friday) the Sao Paulo venue was packed to the gills with fans itching for a second straight Ayrton Senna win after the home hero had won for McLaren in Phoenix two weeks earlier.
Pole position on the shortened version of Interlagos, which had not seen F1 action for a decade, had gone to Senna, which of course created increased fervour among the crowd. The 1988 World Champion duly heads off into the distance until pitting on lap 32. He blots his copybook later on when he trips over Satoru Nakajima while lapping the Japanese driver’s Tyrrell. Having pitted for a new nose, Senna is forced to fight back up the order.
Out front, Senna’s nemesis and reigning World Champion Alain Prost picks up the baton and eases to his first win for Ferrari. It was his 40th career victory and a record sixth triumph in Brazil to add to his top-step appearances in 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988.
The McLaren of Gerhard Berger finishes 13.5 seconds adrift of Prost, with Senna completing the podium to give his fans something to cheer at the end of the 71-lap race.
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