1988 Monaco GP: Prost Wins After Senna Crashes Out

Thirty-eight years ago today, Ayrton Senna threw away a certain victory at the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Brazilian had been untouchable all weekend, taking pole position by a staggering 1.4 seconds ahead of his McLaren teammate, Alain Prost. The race was his to lose, and ultimately, he lost it.

McLaren MP4-4 Honda driven by Ayrton Senna (1988)

The 78-lap race was held on May 15, 1988. Senna led comfortably, building a lead of around 50 seconds as Prost was third, behind Gerhard Berger, until lap 54. However, on lap 67, just 11 laps from the finish, he clipped the inside barrier at the slow Portier corner and crashed into the outside wall.

His race was over instantly. Senna left his car at the scene of the accident and walked back to his nearby apartment.

Prost's fourth Monaco win

Prost inherited the lead and crossed the line 20.453 seconds ahead of Berger's Ferrari. Michele Alboreto finished third in the other Ferrari, scoring his 20th career podium.

It was Prost's fourth win at Monaco and his fourth victory in five years, having previously won in 1984, 1985 and 1986. Only Senna (six), Graham Hill (five), and Michael Schumacher (five) have won more times around the principality.

Senna on his pole lap

Senna later referred to his qualifying lap on Saturday as a spiritual experience. "On that day, I realized I wasn't consciously driving anymore. It felt like I was in another dimension," he recalled. It was, by his own admission, the greatest lap of his career.

The 1988 season worked out fine for Senna despite the Monaco heartbreak. He bounced back to win his first World Championship later that year.

Ayrton Senna - Career Details

Related: 1988 Monaco GP results on F1-Fansite

See also: Esteban Ocon Drives Ferrari 412 T2: Screaming V12

About the author

Victor R.

Victor R. López is a Venezuelan journalist from Tumeremo who focuses on Formula 1 and motorsport. He covers driver news, race weekends and key stories from across the sport for F1-Fansite.com.

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