1989 San Marino Grand Prix

Previous race

At Jacarepaguá, Mansell won the Brazilian Grand Prix in Ferrari’s new 640 — the first driver to win on his Formula One debut for Ferrari since Mario Andretti in 1971, and the first race ever won by a car with a semi-automatic gearbox. Prost was second; local driver Maurício Gugelmin took the podium for March. Senna had his race ended at the first corner when Berger attempted to go around the inside of both Senna and Patrese into turn one; Senna lost his front wing and finished two laps down in eleventh. Patrese ran comfortably in the lead before being passed in what was his record-breaking 177th Grand Prix start.

Between-race developments

McLaren spent eight days testing at Imola between races, working through aerodynamics, suspension, brakes and fuel consumption on the MP4/5 following their defeat in Brazil.

Entrants

Gabriele Tarquini joins AGS at Imola, replacing the paralysed Philippe Streiff. Larrousse introduces the new Lola LC89. Tyrrell introduces the 018, though Michele Alboreto’s car was not ready in time for Brazil. This is the first race to feature a record 39 cars entered by 20 constructors — a figure that will be matched at all remaining rounds of the season.