1984 Portuguese Grand Prix

Championship standings

Lauda leads Prost by 3.5 points going into the finale. Prost won at the Nürburgring with Lauda fourth; a subsequent reallocation of the disqualified Tyrrell team’s points gave Prost an additional point from the Detroit race, reducing Lauda’s lead from 10.5 to 3.5 in a single stroke.

Previous race

Prost won the European Grand Prix at the new Nürburgring from pole, unchallenged after a first-corner accident took out Senna, Rosberg, and several others. Alboreto was second, Piquet third. Lauda, who qualified 15th, recovered to fourth but lost more ground in the championship.

Championship permutations

Lauda needs second place to secure the title. Prost must win and hope Lauda finishes outside the points.

Track changes

This is the first World Championship Portuguese Grand Prix since 1960, when the race was held at the Boavista street circuit in Oporto. The race is held at the updated Estoril circuit near Lisbon.

Entrants

Nigel Mansell starts his final race for Lotus before joining Williams for 1985. Philippe Streiff makes his Formula One debut, driving a third Renault entered as car number 33.

Milestones

This race ends Michelin’s involvement in Formula One — the French tyre manufacturer’s last race in the sport before their return in 2001.