1989 Hungarian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Prost’s 20-point lead going into Hungary is the widest of the season. Senna’s four consecutive retirements have swung the championship decisively in the Frenchman’s favour.

Previous race

At Hockenheim, Senna ended his four-race losing streak to take pole, fastest lap and the win — but only after Prost led for much of the race. After both McLarens suffered slow mid-race tyre stops, Prost emerged in front and held the position until losing top gear with less than two laps to go, allowing Senna through. Berger was running third until a tyre puncture launched the Ferrari into a spectacular airborne accident; the car came to rest on the grass narrowly avoiding Mansell. Mansell finished third, Patrese fourth, Piquet fifth.

After the race Mansell mused: “If any of the circuits in the world is ideal for McLaren-Honda, it’s Hockenheim.”

Track changes

The tight, slow S-bends at Turns 3, 4 and 5 of the Hungaroring have been modified since 1988. Turn 3 remains but is now taken much faster; what were Turns 4 and 5 have been bypassed, extending the straight into the new configuration and raising the circuit’s average speed by 10 percent.