1985 Formula One season

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1985 FIA Formula One World Championship season
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Index: Races by country | Races by season

The 1985 Formula One season was the 36th FIA Formula One World Championship season. It commenced on April 7, 1985, and ended on November 3 after sixteen races.

Contents

[edit] Season summary

The 1985 formula one season saw continued success for the McLaren-TAG team. After missing out on the championship by just half a point the previous year, Alain Prost would ultimately secure his first of four titles by a 23-point margin. The Formula One writer Koen Vergeer remarks that "it was about time, everyone knew he was the best", reflecting a general feeling that Prost had been unlucky to finish runner-up twice, to Nelson Piquet and Niki Lauda.

The reigning champion Lauda competed in his final season of Formula One but was unable to match Prost for results, winning just once at Zandvoort despite being close to his team-mate in terms of pace. For much of the season the points table was headed by Ferrari's Michele Alboreto, who enjoyed his best season in F1. He won the Canadian and German Grands Prix, and was on the podium eight times. Ferrari's results faded badly in the second half of the season as other emerging drivers took the fight to Prost.

Among these were Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell, both of whom scored their first victories in 1985. Lotus team manager Peter Warr had replaced Mansell with Senna going into the season, a decision which initially seemed justified when Senna took a superb win in the wet at Estoril. However Mansell fought back with Williams, and chalked up two victories near the season's end, including his famous breakthrough win at Brands Hatch. Mansell would go on to mount a serious title challenge in 1986. Perhaps the fastest combination of the year was Keke Rosberg in the other Williams, who used the powerful Honda engine to set a new lap record around Silverstone in qualifying for the British Grand Prix - becoming the first man to lap at an average speed of over 160mph. He finished third in the standings after wins on the street circuits of Detroit and Adelaide, but lacked the reliability to overcome Prost.

1.5-litre turbo engines had become universal by 1985, heralding the extinction of the Ford Cosworth DFV. Between 1985 and 1986 Formula One engines would achieve the highest levels of power ever seen in the sport, before serious restrictions and their 'phasing out' began in 1987. The power output of the engines was controlled in racing conditions by means of a strict fuel limit; however in qualifying trim teams were commonly able to increase the boost of their engines for optimum power. This fuel economy was key to successful race strategy in 1985; Mansell recalls the added interest of planning his fuel use in his autobiography. It also proved costly for Ayrton Senna, who lost victory just four laps from home at Imola when he ran out of fuel. After Prost was disqualified for an underweight McLaren, victory fell to the other Lotus of Elio de Angelis.

1985 also saw a welcome return to the calendar of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. Although shortened from its dangerous 1960's form, it reamined a challenge for the drivers. Unfortunately it also caused one of the few cancellations of Grands Prix in the sport's history, when the new all-weather track surface broke up badly during practice. Extensive repairs were needed and the race was rescheduled for later in the year; Senna was the winner, with Prost finishing on the podium again to take a big step towards his first championship.

[edit] Season review

Round Race Date Location Winning driver Constructor Report
1 Flag of Brazil Brazilian Grand Prix April 7 Jacarepaguá Flag of France Alain Prost McLaren-TAG Report
2 Flag of Portugal Portuguese Grand Prix April 21 Estoril Flag of Brazil Ayrton Senna Lotus-Renault Report
3 Flag of San Marino San Marino Grand Prix May 5 Imola Flag of Italy Elio de Angelis Lotus-Renault Report
4 Flag of Monaco Monaco Grand Prix May 19 Monaco Flag of France Alain Prost McLaren-TAG Report
5 Flag of Canada Canadian Grand Prix June 16 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Flag of Italy Michele Alboreto Ferrari Report
6 Flag of United States United States Grand Prix East June 23 Detroit Flag of Finland Keke Rosberg Williams-Honda Report
7 Flag of France French Grand Prix July 7 Paul Ricard Flag of Brazil Nelson Piquet Brabham-BMW Report
8 Flag of United Kingdom British Grand Prix July 21 Silverstone Flag of France Alain Prost McLaren-TAG Report
9 Flag of Germany German Grand Prix August 4 Nürburgring Flag of Italy Michele Alboreto Ferrari Report
10 Flag of Austria Austrian Grand Prix August 18 Österreichring Flag of France Alain Prost McLaren-TAG Report
11 Flag of Netherlands Dutch Grand Prix August 25 Zandvoort Flag of Austria Niki Lauda McLaren-TAG Report
12 Flag of Italy Italian Grand Prix September 8 Monza Flag of France Alain Prost McLaren-TAG Report
13 Flag of Belgium Belgian Grand Prix September 15 Spa-Francorchamps Flag of Brazil Ayrton Senna Lotus-Renault Report
14 Flag of European Union European Grand Prix October 6 Brands Hatch Flag of United Kingdom Nigel Mansell Williams-Honda Report
15 Flag of South Africa South African Grand Prix October 19 Kyalami Flag of United Kingdom Nigel Mansell Williams-Honda Report
16 Flag of Australia Australian Grand Prix November 3 Adelaide Flag of Finland Keke Rosberg Williams-Honda Report

[edit] 1985 Constructors Championship final standings

Place Constructor Chassis Engine Tyre Points Wins Podiums Poles
1 McLaren-TAG MP4/2B TAG Porsche P01 G 90 6 12 2
2 Ferrari 156/85 Ferrari 031 G 82 2 10 1
3 Williams-Honda FW10
FW10B
Honda RA163E G 71 4 8 3
4 Lotus-Renault 97T Renault EF4B
Renault EF15
G 71 3 9 8
5 Brabham-BMW BT54 BMW M12/13 P 26 1 2 1
6 Ligier-Renault JS25 Renault EF4B P 23 4
7 Renault RE60
RE60B
Renault EF4B
Renault EF15
G 16 2
8 Arrows-BMW A8 BMW M12/13 G 14 1
9 Tyrrell-Ford 012 Ford DFV G 4
10 Tyrrell-Renault 014 Renault EF4B
Renault EF15
G 3
11 Minardi-Motori Moderni M85B Motori Moderni Tipo 615-90 P
12 Alfa Romeo 184T
185T
Alfa Romeo 890T G
13 RAM-Hart 03 Hart 415T P
14 Osella-Alfa Romeo FA1F
FA1G
Alfa Romeo 890T P
15 Toleman-Hart TG185 Hart 415T P 1
16 Spirit-Hart 101D Hart 415T P
17 Lola-Hart THL1 Hart 415T G
18 Minardi-Ford M85 Ford DFV P
19 Zakspeed 841 Zakspeed 1500/4 G

[edit] 1985 Drivers Championship final standings

Pos Driver BRA Flag of Brazil POR Flag of Portugal SMR Flag of San Marino MON Flag of Monaco CAN Flag of Canada USA Flag of United States FRA Flag of France GBR Flag of United Kingdom GER Flag of Germany AUT Flag of Austria DUT Flag of Netherlands ITA Flag of Italy BEL Flag of Belgium EUR Flag of European Union SAF Flag of South Africa AUS Flag of Australia Points
1 Flag of France Alain Prost 1 Ret DSQ 1 3 Ret 3 1 2 1 2 1 3 4 3 Ret 76
2 Flag of Italy Michele Alboreto 2 2 Ret 2 1 3 Ret 2 1 3 4 13 Ret Ret Ret Ret 53
3 Flag of Finland Keke Rosberg Ret Ret Ret 8 4 1 2 Ret 12 Ret Ret Ret 4 3 2 1 40
4 Flag of Brazil Ayrton Senna Ret 1 7 Ret 16 Ret Ret 10 Ret 2 3 3 1 2 Ret Ret 38
5 Flag of Italy Elio de Angelis 3 4 1 3 5 5 5 NC Ret 5 5 6 Ret 5 Ret DSQ 33
6 Flag of United Kingdom Nigel Mansell Ret 5 5 7 6 Ret DNS Ret 6 Ret 6 11 2 1 1 Ret 31
7 Flag of Sweden Stefan Johansson 7 8 6 Ret 2 2 4 Ret 9 4 Ret 5 Ret Ret 4 5 26
8 Flag of Brazil Nelson Piquet Ret Ret 8 Ret Ret 6 1 4 Ret Ret 8 2 5 Ret Ret Ret 21
9 Flag of France Jacques Laffite 6 Ret Ret 6 8 12 Ret 3 3 Ret Ret Ret 11 Ret 2 16
10 Flag of Austria Niki Lauda Ret Ret 4 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 5 Ret 1 Ret Ret Ret 14
11 Flag of Belgium Thierry Boutsen 11 Ret 2 9 9 7 9 Ret 4 8 Ret 9 10 6 6 Ret 11
12 Flag of France Patrick Tambay 5 3 3 Ret 7 Ret 6 Ret Ret 10 Ret 7 Ret 12 Ret 11
13 Flag of Switzerland Marc Surer 15 8 8 6 Ret 6 10 4 8 13 Ret Ret 5
14 Flag of United Kingdom Derek Warwick 10 7 10 5 Ret Ret 7 5 Ret Ret Ret Ret 6 Ret Ret 5
15 Flag of France Philippe Streiff 10 9 8 Ret 3 4
16 Flag of Germany Stefan Bellof 6 Ret DNQ 11 4 13 11 8 7 Ret 4
17 Flag of Italy Andrea de Cesaris Ret Ret Ret 4 14 10 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 3
18 Flag of Italy Ivan Capelli Ret 4 3
19 Flag of France René Arnoux 4 3
20 Flag of Austria Gerhard Berger Ret Ret Ret Ret 13 11 Ret 8 7 Ret 9 Ret 7 10 5 6 3
21 Flag of United Kingdom Martin Brundle 8 Ret 9 10 12 Ret Ret 7 10 7 8 13 Ret 7 Ret 0
22 Flag of Netherlands Huub Rothengatter Ret 9 NC Ret NC Ret 7 0
23 Flag of United Kingdom John Watson 7 0
24 Flag of Italy Pierluigi Martini Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 11 Ret Ret Ret 12 Ret Ret 8 0
25 Flag of Italy Riccardo Patrese Ret Ret Ret Ret 10 Ret 11 9 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 9 Ret Ret 0
26 Flag of United States Eddie Cheever Ret Ret Ret Ret 17 9 10 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 11 Ret Ret 0
27 Flag of Italy Piercarlo Ghinzani 12 9 NC DNQ Ret Ret 15 Ret DNS Ret DNS Ret Ret Ret Ret 0
28 Flag of France Philippe Alliot 9 Ret Ret DNQ Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 0
29 Flag of United Kingdom Jonathan Palmer Ret Ret 11 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 0
30 Flag of Germany Manfred Winkelhock 13 NC Ret DNQ Ret Ret 12 Ret Ret 0
31 Flag of Italy Teo Fabi Ret Ret Ret 14 Ret Ret Ret Ret 12 Ret Ret Ret Ret 0
Flag of France Francois Hesnault Ret Ret Ret DNQ Ret 0
Flag of Australia Alan Jones Ret Ret DNS Ret 0
Flag of Germany Mauro Baldi Ret Ret Ret 0
Flag of Germany Christian Danner Ret Ret 0
Flag of United Kingdom Kenny Acheson Ret 0
Pos Driver BRA Flag of Brazil POR Flag of Portugal SMR Flag of San Marino MON Flag of Monaco CAN Flag of Canada USA Flag of United States FRA Flag of France GBR Flag of United Kingdom GER Flag of Germany AUT Flag of Austria DUT Flag of Netherlands ITA Flag of Italy BEL Flag of Belgium EUR Flag of European Union SAF Flag of South Africa AUS Flag of Australia Points
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver 2nd place
Bronze 3rd place
Green Finished, in points
Blue Finished, no points
Purple Did not finish (Ret)
Red Did not qualify (DNQ)
Black Disqualified (DSQ)
White Did not start (DNS)
Blank Did not participate
Injured (INJ)
Excluded (EX)
Place Driver Number Country Points Wins Podiums Poles
1 Flag of France Alain Prost 2 France 76 5 11 2
2 Flag of Italy Michele Alboreto 27 Italy 53 2 8 1
3 Flag of Finland Keke Rosberg 6 Finland 40 2 5 2
4 Flag of Brazil Ayrton Senna 12 Brazil 38 2 6 7
5 Flag of Italy Elio de Angelis 11 Italy 33 1 3 1
6 Flag of United Kingdom Nigel Mansell 5 Britain 31 2 3 1
7 Flag of Sweden Stefan Johansson 28 Sweden 26 2
8 Flag of Brazil Nelson Piquet 7 Brazil 21 1 2 1
9 Flag of France Jacques Laffite 26 France 16 3
10 Flag of Austria Niki Lauda 1 Austria 14 1 1
11 Flag of Belgium Thierry Boutsen 18 Belgium 11 1
12 Flag of France Patrick Tambay 15 France 11 2
13 Flag of Switzerland Marc Surer 8 Switzerland 5
14 Flag of United Kingdom Derek Warwick 16 Britain 5
15 Flag of France Philippe Streiff 25 France 4 1
16 Flag of Germany Stefan Bellof 4 Germany 4
17 Flag of Italy Andrea de Cesaris 25 Italy 3
18 Flag of Italy Ivan Capelli 4 Italy 3
19 Flag of France René Arnoux 28 France 3
20 Flag of Austria Gerhard Berger 17 Austria 3
21 Flag of United Kingdom Martin Brundle 3 Britain 0
22 Flag of Netherlands Huub Rothengatter 24 Netherlands 0
23 Flag of United Kingdom John Watson 1 Britain 0
24 Flag of Italy Pierluigi Martini 29 Italy 0
25 Flag of Italy Riccardo Patrese 22 Italy 0
26 Flag of United States Eddie Cheever 23 USA 0
27 Flag of Italy Piercarlo Ghinzani 20 Italy 0
28 Flag of France Philippe Alliot 9 France 0
29 Flag of United Kingdom Jonathan Palmer 30 Britain 0
30 Flag of Germany Manfred Winkelhock 9 Germany 0
31 Flag of Italy Teo Fabi 19 Italy 0 1
Flag of France Francois Hesnault 14 France 0
Flag of Australia Alan Jones 33 Australia 0
Flag of Germany Christian Danner 30 Germany 0
Flag of Germany Mauro Baldi 21 Italy 0
Flag of United Kingdom Kenny Acheson 10 Britain 0

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