1992 Portuguese Grand Prix

Championship standings

The battle for second in the Drivers’ Championship is tight heading into Estoril: three drivers are covered by seven points with two races remaining after this one. Mansell is the confirmed world champion.

Previous race

Senna won at Monza — his third victory of the season — after Mansell pitted with hydraulic failure on lap 41 and Patrese was forced to slow from the lead six laps from the end with the same problem. Brundle finished second and Schumacher third for Benetton.

Entrants

The Fondmetal team has not arrived at Estoril after running out of money. Team boss Gabriele Rumi attempted to bring in paydriver Giuseppe Bugatti to ease the cashflow crisis but could not make it work. Fondmetal had hoped to return for the final two races in Japan and Australia, but this is ultimately their last appearance. Brabham’s full withdrawal from the championship has also been formally announced before this weekend. This is the third consecutive race at which a team has exited the sport, following Brabham (Hungary) and Andrea Moda (Belgium). With only 26 cars entered, this is the first Grand Prix since 1987 in which all cars automatically qualify regardless of lap times — no driver faces elimination.

Qualifying

Mansell takes pole from Patrese, with Senna, Berger, Schumacher and Brundle filling the next four positions.