The 1988 Monaco Grand Prix, held on May 15th, remains one of the most memorable races in Formula 1 history. Set against the glamorous backdrop of Monte Carlo, the event showcased the brilliance of Ayrton Senna and the resilience of Alain Prost, both driving for the dominant McLaren-Honda team.
Starting Grid
- Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Honda) – 1:23.998
- Alain Prost (McLaren-Honda) – 1:25.425
- Gerhard Berger (Ferrari) – 1:26.685
- Michele Alboreto (Ferrari) – 1:27.297
- Nigel Mansell (Williams-Judd) – 1:27.665
- Alessandro Nannini (Benetton-Ford) – 1:27.869
- Derek Warwick (Arrows-Megatron) – 1:27.872
- Riccardo Patrese (Williams-Judd) – 1:28.016
- Eddie Cheever (Arrows-Megatron) – 1:28.227
- Jonathan Palmer (Tyrrell-Ford) – 1:28.358
Senna’s pole position lap was nothing short of extraordinary, outpacing his teammate Prost by a staggering 1.427 seconds. This performance was a testament to Senna’s unparalleled skill on street circuits, particularly in Monaco.
Race Highlights
At the start, Senna maintained his lead, while Berger managed to overtake Prost, who encountered a brief issue engaging second gear. The opening lap witnessed several incidents: Alex Caffi collided with the wall in his Dallara, Philippe Streiff retired due to a throttle problem, and Nelson Piquet’s collision with Eddie Cheever led to his early exit, capping a disappointing weekend for the Lotus team.
The race order remained relatively stable until lap 33, when Alboreto collided with Mansell at the Swimming Pool section, forcing the Englishman to retire. Nannini’s race ended on lap 39 due to a gearbox failure. On lap 51, Patrese’s attempt to lap Philippe Alliot resulted in a collision, leading to Alliot’s retirement.
By lap 54, Prost had overtaken Berger for second place but was trailing Senna by approximately 50 seconds. In an effort to pressure his teammate, Prost began setting a series of fastest laps. With 11 laps remaining, McLaren team principal Ron Dennis advised Senna to reduce his pace to ensure a secure 1-2 finish. However, on lap 67, Senna lost concentration at Portier, crashing into the barriers and damaging his car’s front suspension. Distraught, he immediately returned to his nearby apartment, leaving the McLaren team in the dark about his whereabouts until later that evening.
Prost inherited the lead, securing his fourth and final Monaco Grand Prix victory. Berger finished second, approximately 20 seconds behind, with Alboreto completing the podium in third. Warwick and Palmer engaged in a race-long battle, finishing fourth and fifth respectively, while Patrese recovered to claim the final point in sixth place.
Final Standings
- Alain Prost (McLaren-Honda) – 78 laps
- Gerhard Berger (Ferrari) – +20.453s
- Michele Alboreto (Ferrari) – +41.229s
- Derek Warwick (Arrows-Megatron) – +1 lap
- Jonathan Palmer (Tyrrell-Ford) – +1 lap
- Riccardo Patrese (Williams-Judd) – +1 lap
Senna was classified in 11th place, having completed 66 laps before his accident.
Drivers’ Championship Standings Post-Race
- Alain Prost – 24 points
- Gerhard Berger – 14 points
- Ayrton Senna – 9 points
- Nelson Piquet – 8 points
- Michele Alboreto – 6 points
Prost’s victory extended his lead in the championship, while Berger’s consistent performances placed him second overall.
Conclusion and Curiosities
The 1988 Monaco Grand Prix is often remembered for Senna’s dominant performance and his unexpected crash, which handed victory to Prost. Senna’s deep introspection following the incident reportedly led to a renewed focus and determination, contributing to his subsequent successes in Monaco, where he would go on to win five consecutive races from 1989 to 1993.
This race also highlighted the supremacy of the McLaren-Honda partnership in the 1988 season, a year in which they won 15 out of 16 races, setting a benchmark in Formula 1 history.
In retrospect, the 1988 Monaco Grand Prix serves as a poignant reminder of the fine margins between victory and defeat in Formula 1, and the relentless pursuit of perfection by its greatest drivers.