1993 Formula One season

F1 season
Previous = 1992
Current = 1993
Next = 1994The 1993 Formula One season was the 44th FIA Formula One World Championship season. It commenced on March 14, 1993, and ended on November 7 after sixteen races.

eason summary

After the 1992 season, Nigel Mansell had announced his retirement from Formula One and that was because Williams had signed Alain Prost and Mansell did not want Prost to be his teammate. With Riccardo Patrese leaving for Benetton, Damon Hill was also signed up. In McLaren, Ayrton Senna stayed on a race to race basis with both Michael Andretti and Mika Häkkinen signed up as Gerhard Berger was leaving for Ferrari. With Senna finally agreeing to be with the team throughout the season, Andretti was signed up to be the No. 2 with Häkkinen as the test driver. In Benetton, Michael Schumacher stayed but Martin Brundle who left for Ligier was replaced by Patrese. Ferrari also kept Jean Alesi and with Ivan Capelli being fired two races before the end of the 1992 season and Nicola Larini not impressing enough, Berger returned after three years away. The other Teams they participated in 1992 and also in 1993 had also different Driver Line-ups then 1992. Lotus kept Johnny Herbert, but which Häkkinen went to McLaren-Ford, Italian Alessandro Zanardi took his place. Tyrrell kept Italian veteran Andrea de Cesaris, but which Olivier Grouillard retiring from Formula 1, Tyrrell signed Japanese Driver Ukyo Katayama, who drove in 1992 for Larrousse a Venturi-Lamborghini. Footwork kept Aguri Suzuki, but with Italian Michele Alboreto going to Scuderia Italia, which had now Lola cars instead of Dallara cars, Derek Warwick, who drove from 1987 until 1989 for Arrows rejoined after two Year out of Formula 1. Ligier dropped both 1992 Driver's, Erik Comas, who went to Larrousse and Thierry Boutsen, who drove during the Season 10 Races for Jordan-Hart, Martin Brundle, who left Benetton and Mark Blundell, who was 1992 out of Formula 1 Racing, like Alain Prost, replaced them. Larrousse lost Katayama to Tyrrell and dropped Bertrand Gachot, who went to the next Year new Entrer Pacific, Comas and former Larrousse-Lola Driver Philippe Alliot joined the Team. Minardi kept Christian Fittipaldi, but with Gianni Morbidelli leaving the Team, the young Italian Fabrizio Barbazza in the First Half and Italian Veteran Pierluigi Martini in the Second Half of the Season replaced Morbidelli and Jordan lost both Drivers, because Stefano Modena and Mauricio Gugelmin left Formula 1. Rubens Barrichello, a young Brazilian and so Country-Men from Senna and Fittipaldi, took Part at the Completely Season, but the Second Car had many changes : Capelli, who came from Ferrari, drove in Kyalami and Interlagos, from Donington Park until Spa Boutsen, in Monza Grand Prix Rookie Marco Apicella, in Estoril Emanuele Naspetti, who drove in 1992 five Races for the disappeared March Team and in Suzuka and Australia Irish Driver Eddie Irvine. Scuderia Italia, who had now Lola Cars, dropped Pierluigi Martini and lost JJ Lehto, replaced them by Alboreto and Italian Rookie Luca Badoer and Sauber, the only completely new Team for 1993 Formula One Season, took Lehto and Austrian Karl Wendlinger, who impressed in 1992 Formula One Season in a March.

Thus, only 7 of the 26 Drivers who took Part in Kyalami had driven for the same Team as in 1992 : Senna McLaren, Schumacher Benetton, Alesi Ferrari, Herbert Lotus, de Cesaris Tyrrell, Suzuki Footwork and Fittipaldi Minardi.

The season started off in Kyalami where Prost took pole ahead of Senna, Schumacher, Hill, Alesi and JJ Lehto. At the start, Prost was poor and Senna and Hill (who was already ahead of Schumacher) got ahead of him. Then, Hill spun in front of Prost and dropped well down the field, Prost being forced to back off and let Schumacher through to second. Senna led Schumacher, Prost, Lehto, Wendlinger and Alesi. Prost attacked Schumacher, took second on lap 13 and set off after Senna. Five laps later, he attacked into the first corner but Senna took the inside and defended. However, Senna could not do anything when Prost attacked on lap 25 with the inside line. He took the lead and motored off. Schumacher also passed Senna to take second soon after. Both of them pitted unlike Prost, but Senna was quicker and rejoined ahead. Schumacher was in no mood to stay third and attacked Senna on lap 40. There was minor contact and Schumacher spun off into retirement. Patrese was third but he too spun off on lap 47 just as Christian Fittipaldi passed Lehto. Prost won from Senna, Blundell, Fittipaldi, Lehto and Berger (he was out but was classified sixth).

Brazil was Senna's home race but he was able to do nothing to prevent the Williamses being 1-2 in qualifying with Prost on pole ahead of Hill. Senna was third ahead of Schumacher, Andretti and Patrese. At the start, Senna got ahead of Hill but Andretti was slow and got hit by Berger. Both of them along with Brundle and Fabrizio Barbazza were out. The order was: Prost, Senna, Hill, Schumacher, Patrese and Lehto. Patrese only lasted until the fourth lap when his suspension failed. While Prost motored away, Senna was under pressure from Hill who took second on lap 11. On lap 25, Senna was issued a stop-go penalty for lapping a backmarker under yellow flags and dropped behind Schumacher. There was a rainstorm, and many drivers spun, two retiring. Fittipaldi spun on lap 30 with his car on the track. He was trying to rejoin when Prost, about to lap him, rain straight into him. Both were out and the new Safety Car was sent out. Hill was leading Schumacher , Senna, Alesi, Lehto and Karl Wendlinger. It began to dry and everyone stopped for dries, with Schumacher's car falling off its jack. He rejoined behind Senna with Johnny Herbert and Blundell gaining. Then, Senna passed Hill for the lead and pulled away. Behind, Schumacher and Alesi had stop-go penalties for passing under yellow flags, Schumacher dropping to fifth and Alesi going down to ninth. Schumacher passed Blundell and then Herbert to take third. Senna won from Hill, Schumacher, Herbert, Blundell and Alex Zanardi.

The new European Grand Prix in Donington was next and the Williamses were 1-2 in qualifying with Prost on pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Wendlinger and Andretti. At the start, it was damp and Schumacher blocked Senna and both lost time and Wendlinger took third. Senna quickly passed Schumacher at the third corner. He then went after Wendlinger, passing him through the Craner Curves with Schumacher and Andretti trying to follow through. Schumacher went through but Andretti hit Wendlinger and both were out. Senna went after Hill now and took second at the Coppice Corner. Now Prost was the target and the lead was taken at the last corner - the Melbourne Hairpin. Senna led Prost, Hill, Schumacher, Lehto and Berger. The track began to dry and everyone pitted for dries. Lehto was fifth but he retired with handling problems on lap 14. Berger took the place but he too retires with suspension problems six laps later. It rained again and the leaders pitted for wets. Schumacher stayed out and was leading but spun off on lap 23 because he was on the wrong tyres. The trackbegan to dry and everyone pitted with Senna having a problem and lost 20 seconds. Prost now led Senna, Hill, Rubens Barrichello, Derek Warwick and Herbert. It began to rain and the two Williamses stopped for wets while Senna stayed out. It was the correct decision because it began to rain again. The Williamses stopped for dries again. Prost stalled in the pits in his stop and when he rejoined, he was a lap behind and down in fourth. Barrichello was now second but it rained and then stopped again. He went to the pits twice and by now Hill was in second, albeit a lap down. Barrichello, third, had trouble with his fuel pressure and retired, giving the place to Prost. Senna won from Hill, Prost, Herbert, Patrese and Barbazza.

Now to San Marino and the Williamses were 1-2 in qualifying with Prost on pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Wendlinger and Andretti. At the start, Prost was passed by Hill and Senna (who had already got ahead of Schumacher). Hill led Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Wendlinger and Andretti. Hill pulled away quickly while Senna held up Prost. Prost quickly passed Senna on lap 8 and set off after Hill. It was time for the stops and Senna got ahead of Prost in these stops. On lap 17, Prost audaciously attacked both at Tosa and took both Hill and Senna in the presence of backmarkers. At the same time, Senna got ahead of Hill. Hill didn't last long, retiring with brake failure on lap 21. Both McLarens soon went out, Andretti from fifth on lap 33 by spinning off and Senna from second on lap 43 with a hydraulic failure. In between, Alesi, who took fifth after Andretti's spin retired with clutch failure. Schumacher was now second and Wendlinger was third but Wendlinger retired with engine failure on lap 49, giving third to Brundle. Prost won from Schumacher, Brundle, Lehto, Philippe Alliot and Barbazza.

As usual, the Williamses took 1-2 in qualifying in Spain, with Prost ahead of Hill, Senna, Schumacher, Patrese and Wendlinger. At the start, Hill got ahead of Prost with no changes behind. Hill was leading Prost, Senna, Schumacher, Patrese and Wendlinger. Hill and Prost pulled away from the rest with Prost taking the lead on lap 11. It was soon time for the stops but the stops changed nothing except that the gap between Prost and Hill had increased and that the one between Senna and Schumacher had decreased. Schumacher attacked Senna but bounced over a sandtrap and lost 15 seconds but not a place. Meanwhile, Prost's car began to handle oddly and Hill closed up on him. The gap was down to 2 seconds but Hill's engine failed on lap 41. Wendlinger only lasted a lap longer before troubles with his fuel system forced him to retire. Prost won from Senna, Schumacher, Patrese, Andretti and Berger.

Monaco was next and Prost took pole ahead of Schumacher, Senna, Hill, Alesi and Patrese. Prost jumped the start with Berger getting ahead of Patrese. The order was: Prost, Schumacher, Senna, Hill, Alesi and Berger. Then Prost was penalised for the jump start with a stop-go penalty. He went on lap 12 but he stalled the car as he was trying to exit. Finally the problem was fixed but he was a lap down and in 17th. Schumacher, now leading pulled away as Alesi waved through teammate Berger. Schumacher, now comfortably ahead suddenly slowed down with a hydraulic problem on lap 33 and retired. The main entertainment was provided by Prost as he tried to pass others when it was nearly impossible. It was time for the stops with no changes in the top 6 but Prost being the big gainer as he climbed from 10th to 7th. This became 6th and into the points when Patrese's engine failed on lap 54. Prost passed Fittipaldi for fifth soon after. On lap 71, Berger attacked Hill and there was contact. Hill rejoined but Berger was out immediately. Senna won from Hill, Alesi, Prost, Fittipaldi and Brundle.

There was a Noah's Ark formation in qualifying in Canada as the Williamses were ahead of the Benettons and the Ferraris. Prost took pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Patrese, Berger and Alesi. At the start, Hill beat off Prost while the Benettons were slow and were passed by Berger and the amazing Senna (who had already got ahead of Brundle and then Alesi). Hill was leading Prost, Berger, Senna, Schumacher and Patrese. Senna was on a mission, passing Berger for third on lap 2. On lap 6, Prost took the lead from Hill. Soon afterwards, Schumacher passed Berger with Patrese following him through five laps later. The order stabilized at: Prost, Hill, Senna, Schumacher, Patrese and Berger. During the mid-race stops, Hill had a problem and dropped behind Senna and Schumacher. Schumacher now set off after Senna. Senna, with Schumacher right behind, pushed his car too hard and his engine stalled. He was out. Prost won ahead of Schumacher, Hill, Berger, Brundle and Wendlinger.

Now to France and with Prost taking pole in all the previous seven races, there was a massive turnout for qualifying where the Williamses are usually dominant. The Williamses did take 1-2 in qualifying ahead of the Ligiers but it was Hill who took pole ahead of Prost, Brundle, Blundell, Senna and Alesi. At the start, the top 5 stayed the same while Schumacher got ahead of Alesi. Hill led from Prost, Brundle, Blundell, Senna and Schumacher. The Williamses pulled away while Brundle pulled away from Blundell who was holding up Senna and Schumacher. However, this ended when Blundell, under pressure from Senna spun off on lap 21 into retirement. It was time for the mid-race stops during which Prost got ahead of Hill and Senna and Schumacher closed up on Brundle. During the second stops, Prost stayed ahead - just by two-tenths while Senna and Schumacher got ahead of Brundle. Schumacher passed Senna when the two were going through traffic and pulled away. Prost won with Hill right behind to make it a Williams 1-2 ahead of Schumacher, Senna, Brundle and Andretti.

Thus, at the halfway stage of the season, Prost led the World Championship with 57 points. Senna was a further 12 points behind in second with 45, Hill was third with 28, Schumacher was fourth with 24, Brundle fifth with 9, Blundell sixth with 6, Herbert seventh with 6 and Lehto eighth with 5. There were no real battles in the Constructors Championship with Williams comfortably leading with 85 points with McLaren 37 points behind in second with 48. Benetton are third with 29 and Ligier were fourth with 15.

Now to Britain the Williamses took 1-2 in qualifying with Prost on pole ahead of home hero Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Patrese and Brundle. At the start, Hill got ahead of Prost and Senna got by Schumacher. Through Maggets they went and Senna went round Prost to take second. The fans were wild as Hill was leading ahead of Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Patrese and Brundle. While Hill pulled away at the front, Senna was holding up both Prost and Schumacher. Finally Prost took the place on lap 7 but Hill was already 5 second up the road. On lap 13, Schumacher passed Senna for third and pulled away as the order settled down. Gradually Prost closed up on Hill, narrowing the gap to 3 seconds after the mid-race stops. There were no changes behind them either. Then, Luca Badoer crashed, bringing out the Safety Car and reducing the 3 seconds gap between Hill and Prost to nothing. The Safety car then went out but two laps later, on lap 42, Hill's engine blew. Brundle's engine failed on lap 54 when he was fifth. On, the last lap, Senna's car ran out of fuel. Prost won ahead of Schumacher, Patrese, Herbert, Senna (who was classified fifth) and Warwick.

The field went to Germany now and the Williamses were 1-2 in qualifying with Prost on pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Blundell and Brundle. At the start, Prost was poor as usual and was passed by Hill and Schumacher. Senna spun, dropping to the back but gained one place immediately when Brundle spun as well at the chicane, dropping to the back, behind Senna. Hill led Schumacher, Prost, Blundell, Patrese and Aguri Suzuki. Prost was on a charge, passing Schumacher on lap 6. He closed up on Hill three laps later. Behind, on the next lap, Berger tried to pass Suzuki and they collided with Suzuki spinning off. Yellow flags were waved and Hill slowed down a little on the next lap. Prost took his chance and passed Hill to lead. However, he was given a stop-go penalty for the manoeuver, and dropped back to fifth. He was stuck behind Patrese. The Williamses and Senna did not pit unlike the rest, and Hill was left 15 seconds ahead of Prost with Senna up to seventh. He soon passed Berger for sixth and then Patrese for fifth three laps later. Hill's lead was reduced to 8 second by the penultimate lap and Prost had given up on the win when Hill's left rear tyre punctured, spinning him out. Prost won ahead of Schumacher, Blundell, Senna, Patrese and Berger.

As usual, the two Williamses were 1-2 in qualifying in Hungary with Prost on pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Patrese and Berger. At the parade lap, Prost stalled and had to start at the back. At the start, Schumacher got pushed down by Senna, Berger (who was already ahead of Patrese) and Patrese. Hill was leading Senna, Berger, Patrese, Schumacher and Alesi. Schumacher tried to pass Patrese on lap 4 but spun and dropped back to 10th. Both McLarens had throttle problems, Andretti slowing down in front of Schumacher on lap 16 and making Schumacher spin again, dropping down to 14th, right behind the recovering Prost. Senna also retired on lap 18 with throttle problems as everyone pitted except the Williamses and Schumacher. This left Hill ahead of Patrese, Prost, Schumacher, Berger and Alesi. Then, Prost had to go into the pits because of problems with his rear wing. He rejoined seven laps behind. On lap 23, Alesi spun off and retired as Patrese waved through Schumacher who took second. However, he retired three laps later with fuel pump problems. Berger pitted from third and rejoined in fifth but he quickly passed Brundle and then Warwick to get back third. Hill took his first ever win ahead of Patrese, Berger, Warwick, Brundle and Wendlinger.

In Belgium, the grid was similar with Williamses 1-2 in qualifying, Prost taking pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Alesi, Senna and Suzuki. At the start, Senna got ahead of both Schumacher and Alesi with Alesi also getting by Schumacher. The order was: Prost, Hill, Senna, Alesi, Schumacher and Suzuki. Alesi retired then with suspension troubles on lap 4, releasing Schumacher. Schumacher then set off after Senna and went to the grass to pass him on lap 10. The first stops did not change anything, with Prost leading from Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Suzuki and Herbert. Suzuki's gearbox failed on lap 15 and he retired. Prost had troubles during his second stop, and when Hill and Schumacher had made theirs, they were ahead. Prost smashed the lap record on lap 41 in his chase of Schumacher, but he found out that he was just a tenth quicker and settled for third. Hill won, wrapping up the Constructors Championship for Williams with Schumacher and Prost close behind ahead of Senna, Herbert and Patrese.

Thus, with three-quarters of the season gone, Prost was a full 28 points ahead and could sense the championship, having 81 points to Senna's 53. Hill was third with 48, Schumacher was fourth with 42, Patrese was fifth with 18, Brundle was sixth with 11, Herbert was seventh with 11 and Blundell was eighth with 10. In the Constructors Championship, Williams were World Champions with 129 points ahead of Benetton who were second with 60, McLaren close behind in third with 56 and Ligier fourth with 21.

Now Italy and the Williamses took 1-2 in qualifying with Prost on pole as usual ahead of Hill. Alesi made the Ferrari fans happy with third ahead of Senna, Schumacher and Berger. At the start, Alesi got ahead of Hill and as Senna tried to do the same there was contact, Senna dropping to ninth and Hill dropping to tenth. Midway through the lap, Schumacher took second from Alesi. Prost led Schumacher, Alesi, Berger, Herbert and Brundle. At the end on lap 8, Prost was leading and both Senna and Hill were outside the points. Prost's hopes of winning the championship increased further as Senna, trying to take sixth from Brundle, hit Brundle and both retired. Hill, now sixth had just gained two places from the collision and gained two more when Herbert spun off on lap 15 and then, on the next lap, Berger's suspension failed. Then, he would pass Alesi on lap 18 and as Schumacher's engine failed on lap 22, Hill was second, 5 seconds behind Prost. Prost pushed hard and Hill could not catch up enough. In 26 laps, the gap was down to 2 seconds and it was clear that Hill was too far to catch up at the correct rate. On lap 49, with less than 5 laps to go, with already one hand on the championship, Prost's engine failed. He was out and his celebrations would be delayed. Hill won with Alesi a fine second ahead of Andretti, Wendlinger, Patrese and Comas.

Next was Portugal and there was major news before the race, Prost announcing his retirement at the end of the season and Andretti being fired from McLaren after a poor season and being replaced by Häkkinen. The Williamses were 1-2 in qualifying ahead of the McLarens but Hill, desperate to keep his Championship hopes alive took pole from Prost, with Häkkinen surprisingly ahead of Senna with Alesi and Schumacher behind. However, Hill stalled on the parade lap and had to start at the back. At the start, Prost got squeezed out by the McLarens and Alesi, with Alesi getting ahead of the McLarens with Senna ahead of Häkkinen. Alesi led Senna, Häkkinen, Prost, Schumacher and Berger. The top six stayed together but the Williamses and Schumacher were on a one-stop strategy unlike the McLarens and Ferraris. On lap 20, Senna's engine blew as Alesi, Häkkinen and Schumacher pitted, with Alesi losing out to both. This left Prost leading from Blundell, Hill, Häkkinen, Schumacher and Alesi. Schumacher passed Häkkinen on lap 25 and pulled away. Prost would stop on lap 29 but Schumacher would rejoin ahead. When Hill stopped as well, Schumacher was leading from Prost, Häkkinen, Hill, Alesi and Berger. On lap 33, Häkkinen crashed into the wall at the last corner and Berger's suspension failed three laps later. Blundell crashed from sixth on lap 52 as Prost began to hassle Schumacher. However, Prost did not try any risks because second was enough to give him the championship. Patrese was fifth but he too crashed on lap 64. Schumacher had a minor off but still just kept his lead. Schumacher won from new World Champion Prost, Hill, Alesi, Wendlinger and Brundle.

With only two more races to go, Prost was the World Champion with 87 points but there was battle for second between Hill, Senna and Schumacher. Hill was second with 62, Senna was third with 53 and Schumacher was fourth with 52. Behind, Patrese was fifth with 20, Alesi was sixth with 13, Brundle was seventh with 12 and Herbert was eighth with 11. In the Constructors Championship, Williams were the World Champions with 149 points but there was a battle for second between Benetton with 72 and McLaren with 60. Ferrari were fourth with 23.

In Japan now and Prost took pole ahead of Senna, Häkkinen, Schumacher, Berger and Hill. At the start, Senna got ahead of Prost while Berger took Schumacher. Eddie Irvine then got by both Schumacher and Hill. The order was: Senna, Prost, Häkkinen, Berger, Irvine and Schumacher. Schumacher would pass Irvine on lap 2 with Hill getting ahead two laps later. The two closed in on Berger. Schumacher was stuck behind and Hill tried to take advantage of this by attacking Schumacher at the chicane. There was contact, and Schumacher was out. Meanwhile Prost passed Senna for the lead and pulled away as it began to drizzle. Senna began to pressure Prost but could not pass. The two pitted for wets together but Senna was quicker and rejoined ahead. It began to dry again and Prost went into the gravel just as was closing in on Senna and was over 20 seconds behind when he rejoined. Behind, Barrichello had got Irvine during the stops for wets and then Berger's engine failed on lap 41. Senna won ahead of Prost, Häkkinen, Hill, Barrichello and Irvine.

The last race of the season was in Australia and Senna prevented the Williams team from taking all poles by taking pole ahead of Prost, Hill, Schumacher, Häkkinen and Berger. At the start, the top 4 stayed the same while Berger got ahead of Häkkinen. Senna was leading from Prost, Hill, Schumacher, Berger and Häkkinen. While Senna pulled a small gap, the two Williamses and Schumacher stayed together. Schumacher passed Hill on lap 8 and attacked Prost. He pitted early on lap 15 and rejoined in fourth but his engine failed on lap 20. During the stops, Häkkinen was slow and Alesi and Brundle got ahead of him. His engine failed on lap 29. During the second round of stops, Senna kept his 10 second lead while Alesi got ahead of Berger and Patrese got ahead of Brundle. On lap 61, Hill tried to catch Prost by surprise to take second. As Prost moved over to block, Hill had to back off and he spun, losing time but no places. Patrese was set to finish sixth in his 256th and last race but his fuel pressure dropped on the last lap. Senna won with Prost finishing his last race in second ahead of Hill, Alesi, Berger and Brundle.

At the end of the season, Prost finished off his career with the World Championship with 99 points with arch-rival Senna second with 73, Hill third with 69, Schumacher fourth with 52, Patrese fifth with 20, Alesi sixth with 16, Brundle seventh with 13 and Berger eighth with 12. In the Constructors Championship, Williams were dominant World Champions with 168 points, double the tally of second-placed McLaren who got 84 and just beat Benetton with 72 into third. Ferrari were fourth with 28.

Drivers and constructors

The following teams and drivers competed in the 1993 FIA Formula One World Championship.

1993 Constructors Championship final standings

Notes