1989 Australian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Prost has been confirmed as a triple World Champion following the events at Suzuka. Senna’s disqualification made it mathematically impossible for him to overhaul Prost’s total. McLaren are appealing the disqualification — Ron Dennis has stated the appeal is not motivated by stopping Prost winning the championship but by the team’s belief that a race win was unjustly taken away, along with the associated prize money and sponsorship bonuses.

Previous race

At Suzuka, Senna crossed the line first but was disqualified after cutting the chicane following a collision with Prost on lap 47 of 53. With Senna right behind him entering the chicane, Prost turned in to take the normal racing line and the two cars made contact, coming to rest together at the mouth of the escape road with engines stalled. Prost abandoned his car. Senna had his restarted by marshals, weaved through the chicane bollards, made a pit stop for a new nose, and overhauled Alessandro Nannini to take the flag. The stewards disqualified Senna for missing the chicane; Nannini was awarded the win, with Patrese and Boutsen second and third. Senna personally alleged the decision was made by FISA President Jean-Marie Balestre to favour his fellow Frenchman Prost; Balestre denied this.

Between-race developments

In a FISA hearing in Paris the week after Japan, Senna’s disqualification was upheld and an additional US$100,000 fine and a six-month suspended ban imposed on the driver; FISA also labelled Senna a “dangerous driver.” Senna initially threatened to boycott Adelaide and leave Formula One, but after lengthy talks with his family and McLaren boss Ron Dennis — who told him “if you stop, they’ve won” — he has confirmed his participation.

Piercarlo Ghinzani announces his retirement from Formula One after pre-qualifying. René Arnoux announces his retirement at the drivers’ meeting before the race, at the age of 41, after 149 Grand Prix starts.

Prost is determined to finish his final race with McLaren on a high note before joining Ferrari.