1988 Belgian Grand Prix
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Results from the 1988 Formula One Belgian Grand Prix held at Spa-Francorchamps on August 28, 1988. Note that the disqualification of the Benettons was not made official until long after the season had finished, so many published records list them as having finished 3rd and 4th. The 3 points Arrows gained from the disqualification elevated them to 4th in the Constructors' Championship.
[edit] Classification
[edit] Race summary
The McLarens occupied the front row for the 7th time in 11 races. Poleman Ayrton Senna had too much wheelspin and teammate Alain Prost was able to take the lead. Halfway round the lap at Les Combes however Senna outbraked the Frenchman due to his greater downforce and disappeared into the lead.
Gerhard Berger managed to get his Ferrari up to 3rd challenging Prost briefly before on lap 3 pitting with electrical problems. He managed to rejoin, setting the fastest lap, before retiring for good on lap 12.
Thierry Boutsen climbed to 4th behind Michele Alboreto and ahead of a thrilling battle between Alessandro Nannini, Satoru Nakajima and Nelson Piquet and the two Arrows. Piquet passed teammate Nakajima on lap 17 and the Japanese pitted with an acute misfire from a jammed plug, which caused him to retire.
Ivan Capelli was driving superbly, climbing from 9th to 6th with stunning passing manoeuvres.
On lap 36 Alboreto's engine blew putting him out of the race from 3rd and just 2 laps later Nannini capped his stunning progress by passing Piquet with an audacious move at La Source. The Brazilian was suffering brake bias. Attempting to keep the balance correct, he wore his tyres, causing him to run wide onto the verge where grass gathered in the sidepods, making the engine overheat.
On lap 42, Capelli passed Piquet to seize 5th place.
McLaren's 1-2 sealed the Constructor's Championship for them with Benetton coming home 3rd and 4th-Boutsen's 4th putting him in striking place for Berger's 3rd place Driver's Championship spot.
Capelli and Piquet rounded out the points with Martin Brundle, who substituted competently for Nigel Mansell at Williams, finishing 7th. Mansell was absent with chickenpox.
[edit] Notes
- Fastest lap: Gerhard Berger 2'0.77
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| Past championship Grand Prix events: Argentine | Austrian | Dutch | European | Indy 500 | Las Vegas | Luxembourg | Mexican | Morocco |
| Previous race: 1988 Hungarian Grand Prix |
FIA Formula One World Championship, 1988 season |
Next race: 1988 Italian Grand Prix |
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| Previous race: 1987 Belgian Grand Prix |
Belgian Grand Prix | Next race: 1989 Belgian Grand Prix |
