1990 Japanese Grand Prix

Previous race

At Jerez, Prost won with Mansell second for another Ferrari 1–2. Senna retired on lap 54 with a failed radiator. Nannini finished third, completing his ninth career podium.

Championship standings

Senna leads Prost by nine points, 78 to 69, with two races remaining. A win for Senna, or a second-place finish if Prost does not win, gives him the championship.

Between-race developments

One week after Spain, Alessandro Nannini severed his right forearm in a helicopter crash. Microsurgery successfully reattached it, but his Formula One career is over. Benetton have signed Roberto Moreno — who lost his EuroBrun seat when that team withdrew — as replacement for the final two races.

Jean Alesi suffered a neck injury during Friday practice and does not start. This is the third consecutive race to field only 25 starters.

Nigel Mansell has reversed his retirement decision, confirming a two-year deal with Williams-Renault for 1991 and 1992 after receiving assurances from Frank Williams, Patrick Head, and Renault that he will be the team’s undisputed number-one driver.

With EuroBrun and Life both withdrawn, only 30 cars remain entered, so pre-qualifying is no longer required.

Brabham have announced a switch to Yamaha engines for 1991. Footwork — formerly known as Arrows — have agreed a Porsche engine deal for 1991 and retained both their drivers, Alex Caffi and Michele Alboreto.

On Saturday, Honda founder Soichiro Honda visited Ayrton Senna in the McLaren pit.