1991 Spanish Grand Prix

Championship standings

Senna leads Mansell by 24 points with three races remaining.

Previous race

At Estoril, Patrese won after Mansell’s race unravelled at a pit stop: a communications error sent him out with the right rear wheel not properly attached; it rotated clean off in the pit lane. The team reattached the tyre outside the pit box — a rules violation — and Mansell rejoined in 17th, charging back to sixth before being shown the black flag on lap 51. Berger’s engine failed while running second and Prost retired with the same problem two laps later.

Between-race developments

Max Mosley has been elected president of FISA, replacing Jean-Marie Balestre. Jordan have replaced Roberto Moreno with Italian rookie Alessandro Zanardi. Fondmetal have sacked Olivier Grouillard, with Gabriele Tarquini joining from AGS — and Grouillard promptly taking Tarquini’s vacated AGS seat. Mansell is carrying an ankle injury sustained in a football match.

Track changes

The Spanish Grand Prix moves to the brand-new Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló, near Barcelona. It is the first time the race has been held at this venue. The previous venue, Circuito de Jerez near Seville, last hosted the Spanish Grand Prix in 1990.