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Ever since the inception of the Formula 1 World Championship, there has been talk of the driver market. One driver leaves, another joins, and so on, amid an incredible whirlwind of rumours, some more credible than others. This creates quite a few problems, but it is determined by an actual continuous movement of team managers, discussions and phone calls — not even too secret. The motivation behind all this is the drivers' attempt to increase their market value. What is happening in top-level motorsport is similar to what happened in football, for example. Following in the footsteps of Niki Lauda, who always secured fabulous contracts, it now seems that top drivers are forming alliances to get what they want. Niki Lauda says:
"Some people don't realise that we are the protagonists of Formula 1. Apart from Ferrari, who can make a driver famous just by hiring them, the other teams make money from sponsors based on which driver they hire. Many team managers have become rich and live in castles thanks to the risks we take on the track. Someone like Ecclestone, who has earned billions, has never wanted to pay drivers what they're worth. Only in the last two years has Piquet understood the situation and managed to get a share of what he deserves, but we are still far from real, concrete evaluations”.
As a union representative, the World Champion is personally involved. That's precisely why he hasn't made any decisions about his future yet. Much depends on the contract he will be able to secure with McLaren or another competitive team. Depending on your point of view, the game can be subtle or heavy. The good, sought-after drivers know that they must achieve two goals: earn a lot of money and be in a top team with competitive cars at the same time. However, they risk being disappointed in the end if the owners or team managers give up having a top-notch driver in favour of a young driver willing to accept less money in the short term to drive a good car. Recently, it was rumoured that Keke Rosberg had refused to sign a new contract with Williams, who had offered him £1.450.000 plus a free suit. It seems evident that the Finn would prefer to stay with the English manufacturer that has always guaranteed him a certain level of team performance. However, Rosberg also adheres to the unwritten pact established with his colleagues to try and earn even more. The same goes for Nelson Piquet, who is attempting the difficult feat of squeezing money out of Bernie Ecclestone's pockets. This explains the Brazilian's interest in Ferrari, Beatrice and other teams.
It's a tug-of-war that doesn't involve Prost, who is reportedly already under contract with McLaren for 1986 for a sum of $9.000.000 over three years. According to this, practically all moves for the next year are legal. For example, it is known that if Piquet exerts too much force, Brabham would be inclined to hire Elio De Angelis. It remains to be seen who will win this difficult battle, which involves not only the aforementioned drivers, but also the entire world of Formula 1. The Ferrari and Alboreto, for example, are sought after by other teams, which could lead to an incredible escalation of costs. Turning to the World Championship, a significant challenge awaits the new Nürburgring, the world's most modern track, which was designed using a computer after Niki Lauda rejected the old, fascinating yet dangerous 22-kilometre circuit for safety reasons. The new circuit (4.542 metres) has been meticulously designed with curves calculated to the millimetre, wide run-off areas and large protective nets arranged in rows. The most fitting definition of this undoubtedly safe track comes from Elio De Angelis, who was always very astute:
"Driving on this track with my car feels like being a fish that has slipped through a fisherman's net and is trying to escape without getting caught, like a sea bream'. It's a track devoid of imagination, where the car matters much more than the driver".
Yet the Nürburgring could be the setting for one of the most decisive races of the season. While the title race was open to almost all drivers, including those who hadn't scored a single point, on the eve of the French and British Grand Prix, the situation has now completely changed. Currently, the competition is a straight fight between Alboreto and Prost, Ferrari and McLaren.
None of the other drivers seem capable of catching up with the top two in the standings. Alboreto has 37 points and Prost has 35. The first of the pursuers is Elio De Angelis with 26 points. He could still trouble the leading pair as long as he scores plenty of points and hopes that the leaders encounter difficulties. The circuit's characteristics (short straights and fairly slow corners) should favour the Maranello cars, which have achieved the best results of the season in similar conditions, with probable averages of around 195 km/h for the race and around 210 km/h in qualifying. However, Formula 1 changes from race to race and it is always difficult to make predictions, let alone comparisons. We will have to wait for at least the first practice sessions (weather permitting, as it rained heavily on Thursday) for some feedback. Ferrari is presenting three cars in the classic configuration, i.e. with the chassis and suspensions used in the early races with some success. It remains to be seen how the highly stressed engines and brakes will perform. Once again, fuel consumption will be crucial: last year, Prost won, and Alboreto and Piquet fought for second place (the Italian won) with almost no fuel left; the two cars stopped right after crossing the finish line. Therefore, the statistics would favour a McLaren as the favourite, and Prost is not hiding his ambition to beat his opponent.
"I am feeling confident after the Silverstone race. I hope to prove it on Sunday".
Alboreto, on the other hand, is more cautious:
"Of course, I will do everything I can to avoid being overtaken. But unfortunately, it does not depend only on me. We have worked hard and believe we can be competitive, but we have to wait and see. This is clearly an appointment not to be missed".
In the battle between Alboreto and Prost for a possible stage victory, Piquet, Rosberg, Lauda, De Angelis and Senna are also in the running. A novelty could be the inclusion of Ligier, who, after achieving third place with Lafitte at Silverstone, would like to improve further. De Cesaris is confident that he can qualify in the top five. However, qualifying is one thing, and the Grand Prix is another. Tyres could be important: after Piquet's victory at Le Castellet, Pirelli quietly secured third and fourth places in England. If the temperature is not too cold, the performance of the Italian tyres should also be considered. With this in mind, Friday 2 August 1985 is set to be a day of novelties. Although the results are provisional, as the situation could change on Saturday in the second qualifying session, Teo Fabi and Toleman secured pole position for the first time. Pirelli tyres also took first place in the timed practices for the first time since the Italian manufacturer's return, and Stefan Johansson made his first overtaking manoeuvre since joining Ferrari, passing his teammate Michele Alboreto. The Swede set the second-best time, ahead of Prost, Rosberg, Senna, Piquet and De Angelis, while the Italian driver did not manage to go beyond eighth place. However, it is Fabi and Toleman who cause the biggest surprise. A driver and a car were picked up in the middle of the season (making their debut in Monaco), after the forward-thinking Luciano Benetton, who was also fortunate, decided to buy the English team, which had been blocked because it had no tyre supplier. One can't help but wonder how a car conceived without significant financial resources, with an engine widely considered the least powerful in Formula 1 and a driver who is talented but considered out of his league, could break the circuit record and, above all, establish a lead of more than a second over the best rivals. Thirty-year-old Teo Fabi, smiling with his calm, bank clerk look, explains:
"There are no secrets. The car is perfect: it has a lot of grip, competitive tyres and accurate tuning. There is also a focused and motivated driver. I believe I can do even better; we'll see".
In recent days, after Ferrari announced their intention to go to Indianapolis if the Formula 1 regulations change, there has been much talk about the magical American speedway.
Suddenly, the man who was the fastest on the most famous track in the United States two years ago appears.
"The pole at Indy is certainly more important than in a Grand Prix".
The Italian driver will be hard to surpass. The battle will certainly take place behind him. Ferrari is in a good position for now, with Johansson improving all the time. However, there is an explanation for the gap inflicted on Alboreto. The Italian used up both sets of soft tyres almost immediately. In the final minutes, a different setup was performed on Johansson's car to lower the front. This adjustment was successful and Stefan was able to improve. Throughout the day, the two drivers from the Maranello team worked in different directions. Alboreto focused on the engine, which had no issues, while Johansson worked on aerodynamics and setup. The Italian driver says:
"It seems to me that we're not in a bad position. There's been good progress compared to Silverstone. On a circuit like this, starting in a relatively high position matters little. For me, the final result is what matters, and that's what I'm focusing on".
Indeed, Ferrari makes a good impression: Alboreto recorded the highest speed at the finish line, matching Mansell's Williams at 253.343 km/h. Notably, Ferrari #27 reached 291 km/h in front of the Maranello box on its fastest lap, while Fabi reached 278 km/h. Patrese performs well with Alfa Romeo, achieving ninth place, but there is little hope for the race. There were two accidents: Martini's Minardi went airborne due to a suspension failure (he found himself in the air like Winkelhock in Formula 2), and his car fell back onto the track on the rear side, shattering. Minardi did not qualify. Warwick also went off the track at 250 km/h in the Renault. Formula 1 always has room for surprises. Although everyone claimed that the Hart engine, used by Toleman and RAM, was the least powerful in the competition, the English four-cylinder was up against Ferrari, Porsche, Renault and Alfa Romeo. Toleman's result is certainly more explained by the complexity of the car and the circuit's extremely linear design, but it's clear that Hart, like the tyres, has its merits. While major industries struggle to find futuristic solutions with hyper-sophisticated materials, artisan Brian Hart is making giant strides. Compared to its debut in Monaco, not much has changed. The aerodynamics of the car, designed by Byrne and Simond, are sound, as is the chassis. The engine features Magneti Marelli electronic ignition and in-house built injection, developed in collaboration with Zimek, with four injectors per cylinder. Brian Hart says:
"We don't have much money, but we're working intensively. For a few months now, we've been developing the engine and electronics. Currently, we lease our engines to Toleman and sell them to RAM. I can't say how much money I have, but it's certainly many times less than that of major car manufacturers. My goal is to be as competitive as possible when I supply engines to the new American Beatrice team in September. If we achieve good results by then, someone might help me further develop my four-cylinder engine".
Meanwhile, the constructors have decided to allow twenty-seven cars to start. This means there are no problems for anyone. Martini only needs to complete one lap to take part in the race. On Saturday 3 August 1985, Teo Fabi's dream became a reality. The Italian driver will start in pole position in the German Grand Prix. Thanks to the rain that began falling yesterday afternoon, exactly five minutes before the second qualifying session was due to end, the starting lineup set on Friday remained unchanged. Therefore, next to the Toleman, Johansson's Ferrari remains on the front row, Prost maintains third position and Alboreto is forced to undertake a difficult pursuit in eighth place. The race's dominant theme is clearly the duel between Prost and Alboreto, who are first and second in the World Championship standings and are currently the main protagonists in the fight for the world title. The Frenchman is cautious in his forecast:
"On a dry track, my McLaren is excellent. If it rains, anything can happen. I've had brake problems recently, so a lot depends on tyre choice and behaviour. The Nürburgring circuit evens out the cars' performance, but I believe I will have an advantage in the upcoming tests. So, I just need to limit potential damage, even though my aim is clearly to win".
Alboreto is very nervous. This behaviour is understandable: he managed to fine-tune the car almost perfectly this morning (by adjusting the height at the front to improve the distribution of aerodynamic load), and he was hoping to move up the starting grid. However, at the end of the tests, due to a misunderstanding, he took it out on Maurizio Nardon, the young technician who looks after his single-seater. The solution he wanted to test was not prepared in time. The driver raises his voice, but then admits he was wrong and tempers calm down.
"I have an important card to play here, and I don't want to miss any opportunities. I'll have to be very careful at the start not to get caught up in any accidents, and then I'll try to catch up with the leaders. It's a very difficult task. I just hope I've found the right car adjustments and can have a problem-free race. I don't expect any help from Johansson, who is starting on the front row. He has the right to run his own race, both in sporting terms and as a person. In any case, if I were ever to win the world title, I would want to do so on my own merits".
However, it's not just the direct confrontation between the two leaders in the standings that we need to consider. Apart from Johansson being on the front row for the first time, all the usual contenders are in the race, from Rosberg to Senna and Piquet. Not to mention the great passers, such as De Angelis and Lauda. The World Champion, however, has been relegated to twelfth position and will have a tough day. There's the tyre game to consider, with Pirelli playing the role of a dangerous outsider. Then there's the problem of high fuel consumption here, not to mention the possibility of rain, which could fall before or during the race. In short, there are a number of complicated factors to consider. Last year at the Nürburgring, Prost won ahead of Alboreto. Immediately after the start, there was a spectacular accident involving seven cars at the first corner. Rosberg, Senna, Berger and Surer were all eliminated. Hopefully, with a better knowledge of the track, the drivers will be able to avoid such a traumatic start this time. Apart from Ferrari, a Teo Fabi ahead of everyone at the start would be an important result for Italian colours. The hero of Indianapolis, who was responsible for a series of spectacular spins in the wet on the curve leading to the pit straight, ending with severe damage to the Toleman against the safety barriers, will be playing a leading role on this occasion, provided that his car can handle the distance as well as the lap. This is a very difficult task for Teo, especially as many drivers (Rosberg in particular) have not forgiven him for being the only driver to participate in the famous strike in Kyalami in 1982. Hopefully, these resentments will be set aside. There may be an opportunity to watch some scenes from the race live from the track: on Saturday, Hesnault, who has a mini-camera mounted on his Renault, performs two spectacular spins. Finally, here's one last piece of news: it seems that Ghinzani has signed with Toleman and could be racing in the next event. In the meantime, it's back to the controversies, endless discussions, internal struggles and technical and political battles. Formula 1 cannot avoid these periodic crisis situations that affect it. Perhaps this is the price that this popular sport has to pay. Following Ferrari's clear stance three weeks ago that they were ready to leave Formula 1 and possibly race in the United States' Formula Indy, the Maranello team's sports director has piled on with specific accusations.
"Some constructors have adopted the tactic of repentance. After signing an agreement that foresaw a certain evolution of the regulations - 195 litres of gasoline from 1986 and 1200 cc engines from 1988 - now they want to change the game and modify the rules. There's talk of cost increases and safety issues. But, more than anything, they've only thought about buying helicopters, jets and castles so far. Companies that have invested in progress cannot accept these impositions".
This is evidently in response to Jean-Marie Balestre's declared intention to change the regulations unilaterally, without unanimous agreement, by adopting a valve that would limit engine power, making everyone equal and undermining technical research. On Saturday, Balestre told Italian journalists that he intends to invoke Article 15 of the sporting code, which states:
"For safety reasons, the Federation can change the regulations without notice".
It is a loophole that allows one to avoid complying with the aforementioned Concorde Agreement. However, in the world of Formula 1, it is said that the reasons for this stance are quite different. Renault is in difficulty. It may even close its management and stop supplying engines to Lotus, Ligier and Tyrrell. In this case, it seems that the 75 engines built by the French company could be entrusted to Guy Ligier's management. However, they would soon be unusable as he does not have the resources to develop them and keep pace with the other competitors. On Sunday 4 August 1985, Teo Fabi was forced to use the reserve car in the race due to the accident on Saturday. At the start of the German Grand Prix, Fabi got off to a slow start from pole position and was overtaken by various drivers. During the reconnaissance lap, Fabi had already complained about engine problems that would affect his performance throughout the race. Stefan Johansson briefly took the lead as Ayrton Senna and Keke Rosberg got ahead at the first corner. At the first braking point, Michele Alboreto's Ferrari collided with his teammate Stefan Johansson's car, damaging the Swede's rear right tyre. Johansson was forced to return to the pits for a replacement. A few turns later, just before the chicane, Rosberg took the lead, followed by Senna, Alboreto, De Angelis, Prost and Piquet. Meanwhile, Andrea de Cesaris was forced to retire after his car was touched by his teammate Jacques Laffite. During the third lap, Nigel Mansell moved up to sixth place after overtaking Nelson Piquet. Rosberg and Senna pull slightly ahead of the rest of the group in the early laps, and by the end of the tenth lap, the leading duo have extended their lead to over seven seconds against a trio of drivers consisting of Alboreto, De Angelis and Prost, who are fighting closely behind them. On the ninth lap, François Hesnault's race comes to an end.
Later on, Keke Rosberg's car begins to slow down due to greater wear on the rear tyres compared to his opponents' cars, following an incorrect tyre choice. During the 16th lap, he loses a position to Ayrton Senna at the Dunlop corner. Another driver slowed down by technical issues was Alain Prost, whose engine was underperforming due to a broken pipe between the turbo and a heat exchanger. This forced him to moderate his pace. On the 24th lap, Nelson Piquet stopped his smoking Brabham in front of the pits. There was also a small fire in the car, which the Brazilian driver helped to extinguish. The top positions remained unchanged until the 27th lap, when Senna was forced to retire due to a problem with the transmission joint. This allowed Rosberg to regain the lead, with a four-second margin over his pursuers. Two laps later, Fabi also retires. Niki Lauda moves up to sixth place, but a few laps later he has to make a pit stop to secure a loose tyre. During the 39th lap, Jacques Laffite moves up to sixth place after a long duel with Thierry Boutsen. Two laps later, Elio De Angelis's race also ends when his engine breaks down. Rosberg's advantage over Michele Alboreto and Alain Prost decreases lap by lap as he struggles with tyre management. During the 45th lap, under pressure from Prost, Alboreto attacks Rosberg, but without success. Prost also tries to take advantage of the situation to overtake the Italian driver, but is unsuccessful. Rosberg then makes a mistake, allowing Alboreto to get close enough to take the lead at the last corner of the track. Alboreto's manoeuvre forces Rosberg to run wide, which also allows Prost to overtake. In just a few laps, the Finn finds himself over nine seconds behind Alboreto. Boutsen, in sixth place, stops at the pit lane for a tyre change on the 54th lap. The Belgian driver rejoined the track in ninth place. Three laps later, Keke Rosberg is also forced to return to the pits for a tyre change. The Finnish Williams driver, who is also affected by a malfunctioning braking system, rejoins the track in fifth place. Laffite finds himself in third place after overtaking Mansell.
The battle between the Ferrari and McLaren drivers is resolved on the 58th lap, when Prost spins — probably due to suboptimal brakes — after attempting to overtake Alboreto. Meanwhile, the battle for third place between Mansell and Laffite continues. The two drivers exchange positions over the next two laps: first, the Ligier driver returns to third place by passing Mansell in the pit lane; then Mansell manages to regain the position. Alboreto quickly increases the gap over Prost, which is over 20 seconds by the end of the 61^(st) lap. Niki Lauda, who has been lapped by Alboreto, takes advantage of his lapping of teammate Stefan Johansson to overtake the Swede and move up to sixth place. The Swede is hampered by brake problems, forcing him to relinquish seventh place to Gerhard Berger. The battle between Mansell and Laffite is ultimately won by the French driver, partly due to Mansell's engine losing power. Mansell's braking system is also compromised and, in the final laps, he succumbs to attacks from Thierry Boutsen and Niki Lauda, finishing sixth. The race ends with an all-Italian victory in Formula 1 once again. Michele Alboreto wins the German Grand Prix with Ferrari. The Italian driver consolidated his position as the leader of the standings with a first-place finish at the Nürburgring circuit, although his direct rival Prost limited the damage by finishing in second place. The two title contenders are now separated by five points (46 for the Italian and 41 for the Frenchman), and the gap between them is growing. However, they have not been eliminated from the fight yet: the season is still very long. It was an exciting race, and it must be said that Alboreto did not solely win due to the superiority of the car. Once again, the 28-year-old Italian driver has demonstrated to any doubters that he has the courage, skill and determination to succeed. The German Grand Prix saw an unleashed Alboreto, reminiscent of Villeneuve, but with an extra brain. He took risks, especially at the start when, from the fourth row, he moved up to third place aggressively and without consideration for anyone (not even his teammate Johansson, who was bumped at the first corner). Then he overtook Rosberg on the inside of a corner at an almost impossible point, even touching the Finn's Williams. It was a victory earned, deserved and seized with strength of will.
"It's one of the toughest successes of my career. I've crossed the finish line first five times so far, and perhaps this has been the most challenging feat. I could hear their engines behind me and see their eyes in the rear-view mirrors: first De Angelis, then Prost. First De Angelis, then Prost. But I was confident; I told myself that I wouldn't be overtaken easily and studied how to resist any attempts to pass me".
Surrounded by diligent mechanics, Alboreto talks at length, seemingly to relieve the tension of recent days. The Italian driver receives congratulations from Vittorio Ghidella, the CEO of Fiat Auto, who has become a regular visitor to the circuits and a personal admirer of his. Ghidella tells the journalists present in Germany:
"This victory confirms not only the validity of our choices and programme, but also the qualities of the driver and Ferrari technology. We hope to continue on this path, even though it won't be easy".
However, Michele Alboreto adds:
"Only one thing displeases me. I bumped into Johansson. I couldn't do otherwise. I took off, risking everything. I zigzagged from one side of the track to the other, looking at the tyres of the cars ahead to choose trajectories and find gaps. I arrived too late at the first corner and, even though I braked, I couldn't avoid hitting the other Ferrari. “The first thing I have to do is apologise to Stefan”.
Then he concluded:
"We've taken a big step forward. We have found a competitive engine and an exceptional gearbox. The car only showed slight understeer, but this was because we couldn't achieve a perfect setup due to the rain. However, this is also the result of the work done in Imola, where I covered the distance of three races in two days. We can't say we have the title in the bag yet. The road is still long and full of pitfalls. If we manage to get through the next race at Zeltweg without sustaining too much damage, we will be able to approach the finale with greater confidence”.
The Italian driver will not be taking a break. From Tuesday to Thursday, Ferrari, like almost all the other teams, will be involved in free practice at Monza. It is certain that there will be banners and shouts of encouragement for the driver at the track this time, as he knows how to make himself liked, especially through his results and by giving his all. However, before that, there will be more celebrations in the Ferrari pits, the second of the season. Alboreto's victory was anticipated at this track, the famous Nürburgring, despite the changes to the layout. It was a victory to boost morale and recognise the work and changes made in recent days. All of this came at the right time, making the men of the Maranello team happy. Marco Piccinini, Ferrari's sports director, says:
"The only downside of the day was Johansson's accident. Unfortunately, Michele hit him unintentionally. These things happen. However, I am convinced that it won't cause any problems between the two drivers. The championship is still a long way off, but we have to acknowledge that if we keep up this pace, we're heading in the right direction. After Le Castellet and Silverstone, we needed a recovery like this".
Coach Tomaini explains that the cars were not yet 100% ready as the recent rain had disrupted the setup tests. Nevertheless, both cars proved to be highly competitive. If Johansson had not encountered the incident at the start, the outcome would probably have been even more favourable. Johansson didn't make a fuss.
"I didn't even notice whose car hit me. The tyre deflated immediately and I had to complete a whole lap very slowly. I had some electrical problems before the start, but everything was fixed before the reconnaissance. The car was perfect and very fast. Only towards the end did I experience brake problems and had to slow down. Perhaps all of this was caused by the fact that I had to push the pace to recover a lap, though. When I crossed the finish line, I saw white smoke and realised that I had also destroyed a turbine. But by then, it didn't matter anymore. I'm really unlucky; I hope to make up for it soon”.
For Alboreto, the victory means a little more peace of mind:
"I must confess that I spent an almost sleepless night. I spent three hours on Saturday evening thinking about how I should behave at the start. Everything went well, albeit with some risk. Even when I touched Rosberg, I got a shock, but then I was so focused that I didn't have any more psychological problems".
Many wondered if Alboreto's Ferrari could have stopped before reaching the limit, as a little smoke was coming from car #27 at the turn leading to the pits. The technicians explained that a slightly misplaced oil vent had been throwing liquid onto the exhausts, causing the blue smoke that had worried many on that lap. Prost himself says:
"I was always behind Alboreto and could see that there was a problem. I expected him to stop at any moment. Instead, it was a false alarm".
Then, smiling and joking, he added:
"Maybe he wanted to create a smoke screen between the Ferrari and my McLaren to make things more difficult for me".
However, success does not lead to excessive optimism within the Ferrari team. It is well known that the upcoming races will be even tougher and that caution and hard work will always be required. Michele Alboreto says:
"Prost is our main opponent, but I also fear Rosberg. His Williams is very competitive, and Keke is a driver who never gives up until the very end. Until he is mathematically ruled out of the running, he must be considered a possible title contender. Now we're going to Zeltweg in Austria. It's a fast track where we've rarely performed well, and where we had the most problems last year. Let's hope that the 156/85 has solved these issues, at least in part. Then, in the Netherlands, things should go differently — maybe like they did here in Germany".
Everyone expected to find Alain Prost unhappy with his race, almost in tears. Instead, the Frenchman seems happy and is smiling as if he had won.
"In fact, for me, this was almost a victory. Second place on this track was probably the best I could have hoped for. There was nothing I could do; I had already noticed in the past few days that victory would only be possible with a stroke of luck. Nevertheless, I have kept the gap from the World Championship leader to a minimum, and for this reason, I am feeling very positive about the future. The championship is still very long".
When asked what happened when he definitively lost contact with Alboreto, Prost responded with extreme calm:
"I had problems with the carbon brakes from the beginning. Their behaviour was erratic. For this reason, I couldn't push hard. Also, Michele's Ferrari was very fast on the straights and had remarkable acceleration. When I tried to increase the pace and overtake him, the calipers probably locked onto the front wheel discs. I ended up on the grass and went into a spin. All in all, I was very lucky to be able to resume the race and secure second place".
Much less satisfied is Niki Lauda, once again out of the podium, forced to settle for a fifth place that seems very tight.
"I could have won this race. I set the fastest lap and could have come in front of everyone".
However, the carelessness of the mechanics, who incorrectly mounted the right rear wheel of his McLaren at the start, prevented him from doing so. Lauda completed the first few laps with severe vibrations and was forced to stop in the pits, where both rear wheels were replaced. Fortunately, nothing serious happened. At the end of the race, the mechanics apologised to Lauda - the least they could do. The Austrian, however, took it philosophically:
"At the pit stop, I lost almost a lap. I managed to recover, but it was too late. Nothing is going well for me this year. Let's hope for better luck in the next races. In any case, given the conditions in which I raced, I believe I have shown that I can handle any situation".
McLaren still ended the trip to Germany with a fairly positive balance: eight points in the Constructors' World Championship against Ferrari's nine. The duel continues at both driver and team levels. The English team's technicians are not hiding their expectation of a resounding result. Ron Dennis reiterates:
"Perhaps a one-two in the next race, the Austrian Grand Prix".
It was a black day for Lotus, which lived up to its colours this time. De Angelis was performing exceptionally well until lap 40, when he was forced to retire due to engine failure.
"It's a real shame. The car was performing well; Alboreto was holding me back a bit, but I knew I could overtake him sooner or later. Instead, the engine failure happened suddenly, and there was nothing more I could do. The World Championship? I've already forgotten about it, even though there are still many races to go. Our team is no longer as competitive as it once was, particularly in terms of reliability. In terms of performance, though, we are always among the best, and this gives me hope for good results".
Ayrton Senna was furious after making a very good start. The Brazilian was in second place until lap 15, when he overtook the race leader Rosberg with a forceful manoeuvre. He was heading for another spectacular performance at the front of the race when a broken half-shaft blocked his progress.
"There's nothing I can do. I can't even reap a minimum reward for all the work the team and I do. It's not the outcome I wanted, but I have confirmed that I can always be a protagonist. The car values were quite level on this track, and you would certainly have witnessed a magnificent duel in the final part of the Grand Prix. Unfortunately, I was no longer there and had to settle for watching my rivals from the sidelines".
For Rosberg and Mansell, it was a race to forget. The Finn had his usual lightning start and secured first position, but he gradually gave way due to his brakes deteriorating.
"These carbon discs are exceptional in terms of efficiency, but they're not completely reliable yet. They degraded almost immediately and I had to let others overtake in the hope of finishing the race. Ultimately, I was risking going off the track at every turn, so I retired".
Meanwhile, Nigel Mansell was engaged in a thrilling battle with Laffite. However, he lost:
"It's certainly not my fault. In the end, I had no engine pressure at all, and it was getting worse lap by lap. I even ended up in last place, which was good for earning points. It's a shame, as it could have been the time to achieve a great result".
The Formula 1 World Championship reached a turning point in Germany. It's not only Ferrari's return to success with Michele Alboreto that has changed the situation in terms of the standings, though. A five-point margin over Alain Prost is still not enough to secure the world title. There are still too many races to be run and too many uncertainties to face. While the Ferrari team and the Italian driver can now breathe a sigh of relief, this does not mean that Prost, McLaren or other potential opponents have been definitively beaten. The most challenging part of the season is yet to come, with seven races scheduled between now and November and many uncertainties still to be resolved. The most significant aspect of the German Grand Prix was Alboreto's performance rather than the result itself.
Finishing in first place was necessary, and all things considered, it was within Ferrari's capabilities. The team has proven itself not only reliable, but also highly competitive on certain types of circuits that are not excessively fast, as demonstrated by the new Nürburgring. Michele had always said that he didn't fear the fray and that he always gave his all in every race. However, some doubted him, considering him too rational a driver, capable of pushing his car to the limit, but lacking the courage, determination and technical skill required for maximum performance. This time, the Italian driver performed at his best. It was a delicate moment; the tension was high and many could have lost their composure or made mistakes due to the pressure athletes face in any sport when competing in a World Championship. Alboreto realised that this was an opportunity to take risks. He took risks and was rewarded for them. To understand what Alboreto was capable of facing in those days, one would have to put oneself in the driver's shoes. The Italian driver found himself with only a two-point advantage over Prost. He had to retire from the last two races due to mechanical failure (Le Castellet) and came second at Silverstone, limiting the damage in the face of overwhelming McLaren superiority. Another setback could have meant total disaster. In Germany, on the first day of practice, Alboreto tested Ferrari's engine while his teammate Johansson dealt with setups and aerodynamics. Ultimately, during qualifying, the Swede found the right setup and recorded the second fastest time. Michele was only eighth. However, on Saturday morning, he managed to adjust the car himself and was ready to climb the starting grid. However, at the beginning of qualifying, it rained and all his efforts were in vain as the positions remained unchanged. There was a danger of tensions mounting. Michele hardly slept at night, thinking about tactics and realising that he had to try everything; that using only his brain would not be enough this time. At the start, he took off like a fury, full of anger and determination. He attacked and defended, throwing himself into the minimal gap left by Rosberg and leaving everyone, including the Finn, astonished. In short, he transformed and showed another side of his personality. Prost is not yet beaten. The remaining races that are theoretically favourable to McLaren are the Austrian Grand Prix at Zeltweg, Brands Hatch, Monza and Kyalami. Ferrari should do well at Zandvoort and Spa. The Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide is unpredictable.