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On Tuesday, September 17, 1985, in the early afternoon, Andrea De Cesaris arrived at the Ferrari stable in a hazel-colored Fiat Uno. The Italian driver, who had lost his seat with Guy Ligier, engaged in a lengthy conversation with the team leaders and remained in the racing department until after 5:00 p.m. What did this sudden meeting signify? According to sports director Marco Piccinini, it was simply a long-planned courtesy visit, as De Cesaris wanted to speak with Enzo Ferrari:
"We haven't faced any particular issues. The driver informed us of the situation, and there are no significant updates".
To be honest, the situation is quite strange. A three-hour courtesy visit seems excessive, especially given the troubles plaguing the Maranello team these days. It could be a dual tactical move - creating a smokescreen to avoid discussing the current crisis and pressuring the current drivers to rush into signing the 1986 contract. This possibility certainly does not concern Johansson, who would do anything to stay with Ferrari next season. After rumors circulated that Alboreto received a substantial offer from Brabham, it's possible that an attempt was made to push the Italian driver to sign the contract. Assuming there is any truth to this, only an official announcement from Ferrari is needed for Michele's contract renewal. So why De Cesaris? Two hypotheses: He is supported by sponsors, and his characteristics as a very fast driver might make him interesting to Maranello for the Indianapolis program since he risks not having a Formula 1 car. Another possibility is that he will be used as a test driver at Fiorano in the final part of the season, since Dumfries is too far from the Grand Prix scene to provide concrete comparisons.
There are whispers in Maranello that De Cesaris could begin his role as a development driver, tasked with fine-tuning the cars, starting Wednesday, pending a possible agreement for 1986. Meanwhile, Ferrari's technical equipment used in the Belgian Grand Prix has returned. Alboreto's car stalled at the start and underwent engine ignition tests to identify the problem that forced the driver to switch cars at the last minute. The results are well known. The car was surrounded by technical staff and a large number of firefighters as it turned on the stands for several minutes, seemingly allowing the problem to be identified. It seems that, on the technical side, Ferrari wants to assemble a new engine similar to those used in the early stages of the season. This is in an attempt to solve the continuous problems that led to twenty engine failures in the summer season alone. There is also talk of reusing the emul-system, a device developed with Agip technicians that allowed for the mixing of water and gasoline to increase engine power while reducing heat in the combustion chambers. The emul-system was abandoned due to weight issues. Meanwhile, the March-Cosworth tests that Bobby Rahal began on Monday at Fiorano have been suspended. The aim was to gather data for a possible Indianapolis commitment by the Maranello team next year. However, due to a lack of suitable tires, the tests have been postponed until next week:
"Enzo Ferrari met with Michele Alboreto and Stefan Johansson in Maranello today and confirmed that they will be with Ferrari in 1986. Ferrari thanked them for their hard work, assuring them that the company is committed to providing them with competitive cars worthy of their talents".
The ritual has been completed once again, identical over the years and almost across the centuries. A laconic statement, which can be used for a reconfirmation or a dismissal with only a few word changes, reveals the decisions of the Modena constructor for next year's Formula 1 World Championship. The announcement, issued on Friday, September 20, 1985, finally put an end to the speculation and rumors that had been circulating in the driver market since the beginning of the season after René Arnoux's departure, assigning the Italian and Swedish drivers to different teams. It also closes the discussion about the engagements of other drivers whose names had been mentioned, from Rosberg (who ended up at McLaren) to Senna, who stayed at Lotus.
The reasons for the reconfirmation of Alboreto and Johansson, as well as the terms of their new contracts, are unknown. In any case, the Italian driver has certainly earned Ferrari's trust, as he has shown faith in the Maranello team despite having received tempting offers from other competitive teams after the disappointing conclusion of the season. Meanwhile, Ferrari has expressed appreciation for the driver's temperament, competitiveness, and commitment. It's a different story for Johansson, who deserved a second chance. Caught off guard with Alboreto already established as the leader, unfamiliar with many circuits, struggling with problems, especially in qualifying, and plagued by an incredible series of mishaps, the Swede has not had the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities, except for his human qualities. This is an important recognition for Stefan, which certainly brought him a lot of happiness yesterday. The text of the statement also conveys other messages. However, interpretation is always difficult. Phrases like "the company is committed to providing them with competitive cars worthy of their merits" could mean anything. It's clear that Ferrari is committed in every area. If Ferrari's cars are not winning, then perhaps Alboreto and Johansson's merits do not extend beyond placement. There is no mention of Indianapolis. However, if the program is pursued as planned, it can likely be carried out only by a driver who is already familiar with American CART races. The calendar would not allow Alboreto, for example, to undertake the double commitment seriously.
What will happen with Andrea De Cesaris remains to be seen. His potential involvement in American races depends on many factors: Ferrari's intention to hire him, his chances of finding a Formula 1 car (his primary goal), and the needs of the sponsors supporting this challenge. In the meantime, Alfa Romeo will decide on its future in sports: specifically, whether to stay in Formula 1 or abandon this costly racing activity. Most likely, the announcement will be made shortly after the new CEO is appointed, which is expected to happen very soon. The reason for the delay is simple: the company's president, Ettore Massacesi, wants to exchange views and information with the executive who will be responsible for many of the decisions made during this difficult period beginning in 1986. It's no secret that Alfa Romeo is going through a critical financial period. Based on economic data, there has been speculation. Some say that Alfa Romeo will surely have to leave Formula 1 because it can no longer afford to manage a competitive team (more than ten billion a year is needed for that). The current sponsor, Benetton, has reportedly communicated that it is no longer willing to renew the advertising contract because it is committed to reviving Toleman, a team recently purchased by the powerful Treviso group. However, the only official statement so far comes from Massacesi, who responded to a specific question by stating that Alfa Romeo would prefer to supply engines instead of racing on its own.
"However, we plan to do so with a reliable and developed engine and a competent team. Therefore, it is possible that you will find us looking for an interim solution next year".
What do these words mean? Clearly, Massacesi understands the importance of remaining in a sector that is a natural fit for a sports brand. However, calculations must be made based on the current situation, including political and union pressures and the actual budget. Not to mention the negative impact that Renault's recent decision to withdraw at the end of the year could have. Therefore, we are evaluating various possibilities. Currently, it is difficult to assess the concrete prospects. Autodelta technicians led by Gianni Tonti are developing a new four-cylinder engine that, on paper, could be the first step toward a successful relaunch. However, this engine requires a car, and no one is willing to take too many risks without guarantees. Therefore, every solution is possible. The only certain thing is that Alfa Romeo needs to change course. Specifically, they need to change their engine supplier and adopt a more hands-on approach to team management. This will allow them to reach a new level that is more in line with the prestige and name of the brand. Since 1979, Alfa Romeo has experienced only failures after a glorious past. Alfa Romeo must either race independently or find technicians who can build a competitive car while waiting to sell or supply engines like BMW, Porsche, and Honda do. An investigation conducted among industry professionals yielded a result that could have been expected.
Almost everyone wants Alfa Romeo to stay in Formula 1 with a new management team. The Arese-based brand finds itself in an uncomfortable position: a precious thing coveted by many, but no one is willing to take it. As for the drivers, Riccardo Patrese seems to already be settled at Brabham. If he cannot find a better solution, Eddie Cheever intends to try racing in the United States. Alfa Romeo has an option on Alessandro Nannini, the brother of singer Gianna Nannini. Nannini is good in Formula 2 and currently excels with Lancia in the World Endurance Championship, but he still lacks the super license. In any case, if Massacesi stays for another year, two cars will be available, so another good driver will need to be found. A return of De Cesaris is not excluded. After traveling the world with a race every fifteen days since April, the Formula 1 World Championship may be coming to an end with only two races left in the season. The European Grand Prix provides Alain Prost with a real match ball. The McLaren driver can mathematically clinch the title against Michele Alboreto and Ferrari. If the Frenchman finishes among the top six, ahead of the Italian, with his 16-point advantage, he will have won. However, it would be enough for the game of discards (each competitor can sum up to a maximum of eleven results: Prost has ten and Alboreto has nine) to come in second behind the Ferrari driver and not be caught up with. On Thursday, October 3, 1985, the day before the European Grand Prix, Alain Prost said:
"I am very calm. I have a lot of confidence in my abilities, and even more in the car I drive and the team. I have five victories, a series of good placements, and a season on the rise. It seems to me that the margin for a turnaround is very narrow. In any case, I will play my cards, and I assure you, they are excellent".
Faced with this optimism, what can Alboreto do?
"Prost can only lose the title if everything goes wrong for him. Until the last minute, I won't give up. We've worked hard, so hopefully we'll see positive results this time. But let's see how the practice sessions go; then we can talk about the race".
It is certainly not in Alboreto's character to give up early. But has Ferrari put him in a position to defend or attack? The Maranello team is not making any predictions at the moment. No one is speaking, and the atmosphere is tense. The sports director, Marco Piccinini, tells us to ask Tomaini for technical clarifications, but the head of the machines does not utter a word. Upon closer inspection, the Maranello single-seaters seem to have undergone significant innovations. There's a new, larger front wing to test, and perhaps some modifications have been made to the engine. Engineer Caruso, who designed the engine, is also on the trip. The dominant theme is the possible final showdown between Prost and Alboreto. However, there are other points of interest, such as the return of 39-year-old John Watson to Formula 1 in place of the still-injured Niki Lauda. After some comparative tests, the Northern Irish driver doesn't hide his doubts:
"Either I'm really rusty, or Prost is a lightning bolt. I just hope I won't cause any problems for the Frenchman or McLaren".
Another novelty is the debut of 22-year-old Ivan Capelli with Tyrrell. It was a very difficult debut for the young Italian, who had never tested a Formula 1 car. Brands Hatch also marks the end of the Renault chapter. The French team will not participate in the next two races and will limit its role next year to supplying engines to other teams. To mark the occasion, Renault mounted a mini camera on Patrick Tambay's car to broadcast the crucial race live. Perhaps the close-ups from the track will show the decisive moments of the championship in favor of Prost or Alboreto. Meanwhile, on Friday, October 4, 1985, at least six or seven drivers are determined to act as referees between the two contenders, Prost and Alboreto.
Looking at the results of the first day of practice for the European Grand Prix, the challenge for the world title risks becoming not just a head-to-head duel, but a real brawl in which many competitors can play a decisive role. In any case, it's a game that favors the French driver, who can achieve his goal with a less-than-stellar result from his opponent. Meanwhile, Senna, Piquet, Rosberg, and others are giving it their all, regardless of the problems troubling Prost and Alboreto, which push them further back in the provisional starting lineup. The McLaren driver set the fifth fastest time, while the Ferrari driver set the eighth fastest time. Ayrton Senna is once again the fastest and the true star of the season. The young Brazilian recorded a time of 1'08"020, setting a new circuit record. It is the only record still held by a car with an aspirated engine. Senna may have been helped by a clever move by technician Ducarouge, who warmed up the tires in an oven (it was really cold at Brands Hatch). Following Senna are Piquet, Rosberg, and Surer; then Prost; and, in order, the surprising Streiff, Mansell, and Alboreto, who are 2.857 seconds behind the fastest time. Johansson, with the second Ferrari, is only thirteenth and was even overtaken by the Alfa Romeo of Riccardo Patrese (tenth). Overall, Ferrari shows slight improvement compared to previous races and does not report significant issues. The Swedish driver breaks the clutch in the morning, while Alboreto experiences a turbine problem in the afternoon. Initially, there are concerns about an engine failure, but these seem unjustified when Michele qualifies with the implicated engine. The cars from Maranello seem a bit too nervous, but they don't leave a negative impression. Of course, there are always difficult questions to answer: Johansson lapped in 1'10"29 during August's free practice, but Prost worsened his times. Two weeks earlier on this track, he had lapped in 1'09"39. During the first qualifying session, he lapped in 1'10"345 and had difficulty with the shocks. The car bounces excessively, so the French driver changes the shocks, but there is no improvement. The Frenchman is not very satisfied, but it's still okay:
"I just need Alboreto to stay behind me. Of course, I wouldn't want my usual bad luck to start now".
Watson's return confirmed the predictions from the night before. You can't put an inactive driver on the track and expect miracles, no matter how good they are. The Northern Irish driver sets the seventeenth time. Debutant Ivan Capelli is twenty-sixth, but he already demonstrates his talent by controlling the Tyrrell with two harmless spins. However, Teo Fabi has an accident ("I made a mistake, losing the trajectory"), ending up against the barriers with a detached wheel and compromised chassis. Elio De Angelis also slides off the track in the first few minutes due to the slippery asphalt. He suffered a heavy impact and was admitted to the infirmary for precautionary massages and checks, which compromised the practice session. Nevertheless, the Alfa Romeo performs well within its limits.
"I have no illusions. Prost's lead in points and performance is insurmountable in three races".
Michele Alboreto is serene and calm but cautious. He doesn't want to discuss the world title anymore, at least not until Sunday evening:
"We returned to Johansson's August setup, and the results weren't bad. But we are too far from the best. We have enough traction but little top speed. The fact remains that the others are faster".
Alboreto talks at length about the past, present, and future:
"At Monza, I was ashamed for the audience that deserved better. It made me want to cry." We have the means to climb back up, but I think we need to strengthen our technical staff. It's not up to me to specify which area, but we need to improve the chassis, engine, and suspensions. However, I have never thought of leaving Ferrari".
On Saturday, October 5, 1985, while Formula 1 celebrated with Brazilian drivers Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet and Alain Prost defended his title, Ferrari sank into an even deeper crisis. Given the results of the practices, talking about a challenge for the world title in the European Grand Prix would be ridiculous. Victory could escape Prost and McLaren only due to an incredible twist of fate. However, even retirement might not prevent Prost from achieving triumph, as it's unlikely that Michele Alboreto could take precious points away from him. Starting fifteenth in the eighth row, the Italian driver—also preceded by his teammate Johansson in thirteenth—shouldn't have any chance of winning. Those who hoped for a Ferrari miracle at Brands Hatch must reconsider. Senna and Piquet are the ones providing the spectacle. The two South Americans snatch the pole position from each other. First, the Brabham driver breaks the record with a time of 1'07"482, which seemed unreachable. But Senna, relentless, took to the track and turned twice to surpass his compatriot. He succeeds with an incredible time of 1'07"169, reaching an average speed of 225.470 km/h. On Friday, Lotus surprised everyone by using a special air oven to heat tires for Senna's car. The purpose was to improve performance in cold weather. Ferrari tried the same, but lacked the necessary equipment. A team representative went to a supermarket and bought three or four heaters that blow hot air. These heaters are generally used to warm the bathroom when it's cold and the radiators are not yet on. It was an attempt that was both ridiculous and pathetic for a team with a budget of tens of millions of dollars. The result? The times obtained speak for themselves. Behind the Brazilian duo were the Williams of Mansell and Rosberg, followed by the increasingly surprising Philippe Streiff with the Ligier. The Frenchman miraculously escaped a double spin at 300 km/h. Alain Prost qualifies in sixth position with a time of 1'09"429, not very happy but calm.
"We can't use the qualifying tires well because we don't have enough traction. But for the race, I am confident. It's enough for me to control Alboreto, who is quite far behind and seems to be in trouble. Until I cross the finish line, however, it's better not to declare victory".
In any case, Prost has won his battle, at least psychologically. Alboreto is powerless and Ferrari is not competitive.
"Oh my, what a disaster. This is a tough pill to swallow. Brands Hatch is a circuit where the chassis and engine matter. We are slow in turns and acceleration. Moreover, my car's engine has lost power. It's absurd to think about being a protagonist in the race. At best, I can hope for points if everything goes very well. Don't think McLaren is in trouble either, though, because it only set the sixth time. Prost is just racing for fun; he just has to drive 300 kilometers and cross the finish line. If I were in his place, I would have celebrated winning the world title a day early".
Ferrari's balance on the eve of a potentially decisive day is three and a half seconds behind the best, another broken turbine, and a compromised engine on the car that should have been used for qualifications. A few numbers illustrate the problems Ferrari will face. Rosberg was the fastest at the finish line, reaching a top speed of 306.209 km/h. Johansson passed at 298.096 km/h and Alboreto at 297.275 km/h. However, the Finn is still at the top at the bottom of the straight before Hawthorn Bend (314.411 km/h), with Alboreto at 301.255 km/h. It should be noted that, even during their recent struggles, the Maranello cars consistently ranked among the fastest in terms of top speed. Given their performance in practice, the race is open to many results, as usual, depending on the choice of tires. Senna starts with the advantages of superior speed and determination. Piquet is a dangerous outsider with Pirelli tires. Mansell and Rosberg could be protagonists if their Williams cars are reliable. Beware of Prost, who could settle for a placement, but won't pass up the opportunity to seek a sixth seasonal victory and become the first Frenchman in history to be crowned Formula 1 World Champion.
Before the start of the European Grand Prix on Sunday, October 6, 1985, Pierluigi Martini broke the turbo of his car during the warm-up lap, forcing him to start with the reserve vehicle. At the start, Ayrton Senna maintained the lead while Keke Rosberg, after an initial hesitation, overtook Nelson Piquet to secure third place behind Nigel Mansell. Rosberg's slowdown forced Alain Prost to drive onto the grass, causing him to slide to fourteenth place. Mansell unsuccessfully attempted to pass at Paddock Bend. Shortly after, Rosberg attacked Mansell. After going into understeer, Rosberg put two tires in the dust and was also passed by Piquet. On the seventh lap, Rosberg tried to pass Senna at the Surtees Corner, but Senna closed the trajectory. Rosberg spins, causing Piquet to collide with him. Piquet breaks his front wing and left suspension, forcing him to retire. Piquet remains on the track and is avoided by John Watson. Rosberg managed to continue, albeit with a flat tire. He returns to the pits, undergoes repairs, and re-enters the track, having been lapped. He re-enters just in front of Senna, who is fending off attacks from Mansell. The Finn hinders Senna while lapping, forcing him to slow down, which ultimately facilitates Mansell's overtaking. Meanwhile, Alain Prost quickly moves into a points position after passing Michele Alboreto. On the next lap, Stefan Johansson passes Marc Surer, taking fourth place and pushing Surer off the track. After twelve laps, Mansell leads Senna by over four seconds. Elio De Angelis, Stefan Johansson, Marc Surer, and Jacques Laffite follow. Laffite has overtaken Alboreto. The Ferrari driver stops at the pits for a tire change and then restarts, but breaks the turbo almost immediately. The car catches fire in the back, but Alboreto doesn't notice. At the end of the next lap, the Italian driver returns to the pits, where the mechanics extinguish the fire. With the Ferrari driver's retirement, Alain Prost only needs to finish fifth to win the World Championship. Meanwhile, Surer passes Johansson. During the nineteenth lap, Prost loses a position to Laffite and drops to seventh place. The Ligier driver also passes Johansson and De Angelis, who had fallen to third place behind Surer. By the 30th lap, Mansell has a lead of over 14 seconds over Senna. The Lotus driver is under attack from Surer and Laffite.
Further back, another trio is shaping up: De Angelis, Johansson, and Prost. Between laps 35 and 36, Senna was overtaken by the two drivers behind him at Hawthorn Bend. Then, on the 38th lap, Prost stopped at the pits for a tire change, using a soft compound. The French driver returns to the track in eighth place. On the 42nd lap, Johansson passes De Angelis, moving up to fifth place. On the 46th lap, Capelli goes off the track; the Tyrrell engine catches fire, requiring intervention from the marshals. Laffite withstands attacks from his opponents until the 51^(st) lap, when he is passed by Senna due to the declining performance of his worn tires. Laffite is then forced to return to the pits. After Johansson's pit stop, Prost was in fifth place, which was enough to win the World Championship. However, the McLaren driver strengthened his position by overtaking De Angelis a few laps later. Meanwhile, Laffite's race ends on lap 59 due to an engine problem. Mansell continues in the lead without interruption, 16.8 seconds ahead of Surer, 22.7 seconds ahead of Senna, and over 50 seconds ahead of Prost. Another turbo failure forces Surer to retire. During the 63rd lap, Rosberg passes De Angelis and moves up to fourth place. Two laps later, the Finn passes Prost, who lost time lapping Riccardo Patrese. With his worst placement of the season, Alain Prost finally becomes the Formula 1 World Champion. He achieved this by racing in the style of his mentor, Niki Lauda, an unparalleled driver who knows how to think on his feet. Prost needed only two points to beat his last remaining rival. Prost took three points, just to be safe, bringing his total in the general standings to 72. This result is now unattainable for Alboreto and Ferrari, who were once again hindered by mechanical failures. Prost's title is the first won by a Frenchman in Formula 1 history, complete revenge for a skilled, fast, determined, and now reliable driver. Prost had a competitive car, the McLaren, which, for the first time since 1966–67 (Brabham's double), allowed two of its drivers to win the World Championship in consecutive seasons. It should be noted that Prost did not have a winning car in England, nor did he ever attempt to reach first place.
After 71 races and six seasons with Lotus, the European Grand Prix rewarded the first victory for Englishman Nigel Mansell at the wheel of an extraordinary Williams. This was evident when Rosberg finished third after a pit stop that cost him practically a lap. Second place went to the rising star of Formula 1, Ayrton Senna, who seems to have secured a spot on the podium despite having a Lotus that is fast in qualifying but less competitive in the race. As previous races and qualifying had suggested, Ferrari left this fourteenth round of the World Championship empty-handed once again. In fact, the two Maranello cars performed better than expected. If they hadn't lost reliability, they could have challenged Prost more. This time, two malfunctions forced Alboreto (turbo failure) and Johansson (alternator breakage) to retire. Short and slight, Mansell doesn't have the classic physique of a champion. Yet Alain Prost, who turned 30 on February 24 and hails from Lorette in the Loire, near Saint-Étienne, has achieved what many illustrious predecessors tried in vain to do. He is the first French driver to win the world title. After 87 races, six seasons (three with McLaren and three with Renault), and 21 victories, he finally achieved his goal. He had been chasing it since 1973, when he made his debut in kart races at the age of 18. After achieving success after success in lower formulas, he entered the world of Grand Prix in 1980 and immediately demonstrated his intentions, finishing fifth in the overall standings in 1981, fourth the following year, and second in the last two seasons, narrowly losing to Piquet and then his teammate Lauda. On the podium, amid the champagne sprays, Prost's tears of joy mingle with Nigel Mansell's. However, Prost doesn't go too far:
"The title has finally arrived. I knew that, sooner or later, I would succeed. In the next few hours or days, I will likely experience this success more intensely and fully savor it. But I have an incredible schedule: I won't be home until Thursday to greet my wife, Annemarie, and my son, Nicolas, who turned four on the day I won the Zeltweg race".
When did you realize that the World Championship was really within your reach?
"At Monza, when Ferrari's crisis became evident. I was so sure I would win the title that I wouldn't have cared if I hadn't scored the points I did in England. I could have done very well in the next two races. However, when I saw that Alboreto had stopped, I worried about taking risks. Now that I have won the World Championship, I will try to win more races, which is the greatest satisfaction for a driver. I want to aim for Jackie Stewart's record of 27 victories and become the best of all time".
How much did the driver contribute to this success, and how much did the team?
"McLaren did its part. I believe I did mine. However, I did not receive any special help. Let's also not forget that I was disqualified in Imola because the car weighed two kilos less than expected and that my teammate Lauda wanted to win at least one race in Zandvoort. The team technicians were very good, especially at fixing the chassis, which wasn't great at the beginning of the season".
Were there any particularly difficult moments in this race?
"No, I started cautiously. I chose two B tires and two C tires, trying to use them to their maximum potential to complete as many laps as possible. Then, I switched to softer tires and was able to recover without any problems. I took a risk passing Alboreto in the early laps. I was at the limit. But I had to stay in front of his Ferrari at least".
Aside from Stewart's record, what about the future?
"If the team goes to South Africa, then I have to race, too. Without the nightmare of the World Championship, I could try for my 22nd victory. I hope that next year, McLaren will still be able to give me a competitive car".
What about Rosberg as a teammate?
"Let me breathe. I'll think about Keke in 1986".
Maybe Michele Alboreto knew how it would end. There was still a glimmer of hope; the race didn't start badly. Then came the collapse:
"Thirteen laps, and it's all over. The engine failed, as it had too many times before. Congratulations to Prost. I tried to bring the car to the pits to avoid a complete fire. That was my only concern".
But the Ferrari proved to be competitive enough:
"Yes, but I had trouble right away. I touched Patrese at the start and had to stop to replace a damaged rim and all the tires. Then, the engine failed me. There was an oil leak that caused the fire".
Now, we have to think about the future. A lot of work is needed on the engine. It's powerful, but it's no longer reliable. It's a shame to see a whole season's work slip away like this.
"Two Grand Prixs remain at the end of the championship. I will try to win both, but it will be difficult under these circumstances. In any case, I don't regret choosing Ferrari or accepting the contract for next year. I want to win many races and become world champion with this Italian team".
For Johansson, the pit stop came at the end of the race when he might have even climbed onto the podium. However, he retired while in fourth place.
"We're very unlucky in this period. Too bad because the car wasn't bad".
Vittorio Ghidella, the CEO of Fiat Auto, is also near Ferrari and says:
"Ultimately, the improvement compared to the 1984 season was positive. Of course, we need to work a lot on this car, but I am confident because they are already working hard in Maranello. In Formula 1, there is no longer room for artisans. We must work as a team and use advanced technology".
What will happen with Forghieri?
"Forghieri has done a lot for Ferrari, but one man alone is no longer enough. Defeat should spur us to do better, not bring us down. The championship ended negatively, but we have always been among the protagonists. This is a result to be viewed quite positively".
Amidst the champagne sprays on the podium with Prost's joy and Mansell's confusion, there is also a venomous controversy. The protagonists are two of those at the top: Rosberg and Senna. The Finn and the Brazilian repeatedly accuse each other of playing unfairly. In fact, theirs was a unique brawl that didn't end in a crash only by a miracle. Senna also touched Mansell at the start. However, this collision had no consequences:
"I couldn't avoid it because I was sandwiched between two cars. Then Rosberg attacked me, trying to force me off the track. I had to work hard to stay on the road. The Williams driver was unsportsmanlike when he stopped to change tires and reentered the track right in front of my Lotus. He held me back for a lap and a half even though his tires were cold, and he couldn't match my speed. He kept moving from side to side on the track to prevent me from passing. We even touched a couple of times. It was really unfair".
Later, Senna was called to Piquet's motorhome, where the Brabham driver surely did not treat his young compatriot gently. In fact, the Brazilian had bumped into Rosberg, causing him to spin out while trying to overtake the Lotus driver. Rosberg lost a race that could have been won. The Finnish driver reiterates:
"Senna is one of the most dangerous drivers. When I tried to pass him, he didn't give me any space, even though I was almost completely in front of his Lotus. It's because of him that I ended up spinning at Surtees Corner. Don't tell me I obstructed him later".
Amidst the quarreling of the two drivers, Nigel Mansell seems to be in his own world. After six long seasons as a supporting player with Lotus, he won the first Formula 1 race. Next year, he'll have another champion alongside him, Nelson Piquet, and life will remain difficult. For now, though, the Englishman is content to have won a race in front of his home crowd:
"It was what I dreamed of as a child, and the dream has come true. It has repaid me for all the previous bitterness. Now, I hope to show that I'm not just a fast driver, but also a driver who can consistently finish races ahead of everyone else".
Michele Alboreto has freed himself from a nightmare. This is the only positive result of the European Grand Prix. The world title challenge is over, as is the tension. At least for the moment. Ferrari still aims to win the Constructors' World Championship, but McLaren has a nine-point lead over the Maranello team and a 15-point lead over Lotus. In South Africa and Australia, Alboreto and Johansson will try to achieve this secondary goal, which is important for an automaker. After the disastrous race, the Italian driver analyzes the situation with great calm, clarifies his ideas, and talks about Ferrari, the past, the present, and the future. He starts from the beginning:
"I never deluded myself. Even in the most favorable moments, I realized that we would have difficulties. When I finished second in the first race in Rio de Janeiro, which was won by Prost, I was accused of making mistakes. But I don't think I made any mistakes in this year's race. I said that we needed to work hard. I kept repeating it, even after the victories in Montreal and Nürburgring. I have a clear conscience".
What did Ferrari lack in order to remain competitive until the end?
"The others have progressively improved. In Formula 1, you can never stand still. We wanted more power from the engine, but we lost reliability. We made many changes to the car. We did thousands of kilometers of testing at Fiorano and other tracks. Our intentions were good, but the results were negative. While others were preparing for races, we spent all our time trying to fix the problems we discovered. You can't win world titles with reliability alone. You have to be competitive".
What are the possible solutions?
"Only with a new car. I am ready to start from scratch. I renewed my contract with Ferrari because I am confident. The means to climb back up are there. I want to win many races and the world title, which I would like to dedicate to my Italian team. For now, I am only thinking about this".
Some say that Ferrari lacks a good test driver:
"I don't choose technical solutions alone. It's a task carried out by the other driver, technicians, and me as a team. However, the work is not done in the pit. Races are mainly won in the workshop. A car stays the same on the track. You can come up with interesting solutions, but if it's not good, it won't go fast; otherwise, it's just a patched-up shoe. Prost is a champion. But without a good car, he wouldn't have gotten far".
Is Prost really the fastest driver right now?
"The results prove him right. I'm happy for him. Senna is also very strong and one of the best in terms of performance. But I wouldn't go out to dinner with him".
On Sunday night, Alain Prost said, exhausted but with a big smile on his face, before boarding the helicopter of Mansour Ojjeh, the Saudi billionaire owner of Tag, the company that funded the construction of the Porsche engine for McLaren:
"The most difficult moment begins now".
He continues:
"Interviews, newspapers, weeklies, television, old and new friends. I won't be able to go home before Thursday to see my family".
However, the World Champion has no difficulty assuming the role of a star. He knows it's another price of fame and doesn't complain. He has now achieved the goal he has pursued since he was a boy, when he was undecided between football and motorsport and chose motorsport. In twelve years of racing and victories, he climbed from karts to the world title:
"Being a driver suits me in every way. With the helmet on, I'm fifteen centimeters taller and can hide my crooked nose".
Now, he is a millionaire and famous. However, Alain Prost immediately rejects the parable of the satisfied champion dear to Enzo Ferrari:
"The world title was a step, not a destination. I have many other programs to fulfill. As I've said, my first goal is to surpass Jackie Stewart's record number of victories. I have twenty-one victories; I need seven more to surpass the Scotsman. Therefore, as I seek other first places, I will inevitably find myself fighting for the title again. It's better to take advantage of this favorable moment. Next year, I'll try for two in a row".
Too greedy? Too ambitious?
"No, I'm just in love with racing. Some say that with Rosberg alongside me in 1986, I won't have much room. He's certainly not the easiest teammate, but he doesn't scare me. Otherwise, I would have retired with Lauda. Having Rosberg as a teammate is a new stimulus, one more reason to always give my best. Besides, I don't plan on staying in Formula 1 my whole life. There are other activities that interest me. I could race in the United States for a while. Indianapolis is a fascinating place".
McLaren's driver is not inexperienced. He has already planned his future. He bought a golf course near Dijon in partnership with his friend Jacques Laffite and an advertising agency in Switzerland near Les Brassus, where he lives. Pole Promotion, as it is called, already works full-time. Prost expects to be able to realize another dream from this initiative. He wants to finance his Formula 1 team and become a team manager:
"Formula 1 is comparable to a high mountain. The climb is long and tiring; staying at the top is difficult; and the descent is rapid and brutal. You have to be prepared for everything, but I don't want to leave completely".
Before leaving, he also offers words of encouragement to Michele Alboreto:
"I've been in his shoes more than once. It's not easy, but sooner or later, a favorable moment comes if you can endure it psychologically. I respect Michele as a driver and as an opponent, and I hope he's pleased".