1987 Monaco Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = Monaco
Grand Prix = Monaco
Official name = 45e Grand Prix de Monaco
Date = May 31
Year = 1987

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Race_No = 4
Season_No = 16
Location = Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Course = Street circuit
Course_mi = 2.068
Course_km = 3.328
Distance_laps = 78
Distance_mi = 161.298
Distance_km = 259.584
Weather = Sunny and warm
Pole_Driver = Nigel Mansell
Pole_Team = Williams-Honda
Pole_Time = 1:23.039
Pole_Country = UK
Fast_Driver = Ayrton Senna
Fast_Team = Lotus-Honda
Fast_Time = 1:27.685
Fast_L

Fast_Country = Brazil
First_Driver = Ayrton Senna
First_Team = Lotus-Honda
First_Country = Brazil
Second_Driver = Nelson Piquet
Second_Team = Williams-Honda
Second_Country = Brazil
Third_Driver = Michele Alboreto
Third_Team = Ferrari
Third_Country = Italy

The 1987 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on May 31, 1987 at the Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo. It was the 4th race of the 1987 Formula One season.

Race summary

Traditionally the number of competitors permitted for this Grand Prix was lower than all other circuits, due to the tight twisty nature of the track. Originally 16, it was later increased to 20; in 1987 it was increased to a full grid of 26. According to FISA this was to bring it into line with other Grands Prix but there were cynical views that this was done in order to reduce the number of non-qualifiers to appease the team sponsors. There was widespread concern about the results of overcrowding on the track and the speed difference of various cars.

During the practice session, Christian Danner and Michele Alboreto tangled, resulting in a severe accident: the Ferrari was thrown in the air but fortunately landed back on the track. FISA took the decision to disqualify Danner from the weekend, the first such event in the history of the Formula 1 World Championship. There were widespread objections throughout the paddock, particularly as there were several other practice accidents and it was felt that Danner had no more to blame than any other driver involved in these accidents. [cite book|last=Walker |first=Murray |title=Murray Walker's Grand Prix Year |publisher=Hazleton Publishing |date=1987 |pages=p144 |isbn=1-870066-04-9]

The pole position was claimed by Nigel Mansell in the Williams, second was Ayrton Senna for Lotus, and third was the other Williams of Nelson Piquet. The top three were in the same order after the start. On lap 3, Philippe Streiff, still recovering from the huge accident he suffered at the previous race in Belgium, crashed heavily again. Mansell's lead built up until lap 30, when he retired with a loss of turbo boost. This gave first place to Senna, who dominated the rest of the race, making a pit stop for tyre change without losing the lead, and set the fastest lap of the race.

Arrows drivers Derek Warwick and Eddie Cheever were both competitive, but retired with gearbox and engine failure respectively. Alain Prost retired from 3rd place with an engine failure with just 2 laps to go. Piquet came home second from Alboreto in third and Gerhard Berger in fourth. Jonathan Palmer finished fifth for his first World Championship points in the Tyrrell (and winning the Jim Clark Trophy for nonturbo drivers), while Ivan Capelli grabbed the last point for March.

Senna's victory was notable in that it was the first for a car with active suspension.

Classification

Numbers in brackets refer to positions of normally-aspirated entrants competing for the Jim Clark Trophy.

Notes

*Christian Danner excluded from the event after causing an accident during Thursday practice.

References

* "Unless otherwise indicated, all race results are taken from cite web |title=The Official Formula 1 website |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1987/282/ |accessdate=2007-07-08

F1 race report
Name_of_race = Monaco Grand Prix
Year_of_race = 1987
Previous_race_in_season = 1987 Belgian Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season = 1987 United States Grand Prix East
Previous_year's_race = 1986 Monaco Grand Prix
Next_year's_race = 1988 Monaco Grand Prix