1989 Belgian Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Grand Prix = Belgian
Country = Belgium
Official name = XLVII Grand Prix de Belgique
Date = August 27
Year = 1989
Race_No = 11
Season_No = 16
Location = Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Spa, Belgium
Course = Permanent racing facility
Course_mi = 4.3123
Course_km = 6.940
Distance_laps = 44
Distance_mi = 189.741
Distance_km = 305.360
Weather = Wet, cloudy, cool
Pole_Driver = Ayrton Senna
Pole_Country = Brazil
Pole_Team = McLaren-Honda
Pole_Time = 1:50.867
Fast_Driver = Alain Prost
Fast_Country = France
Fast_Team = McLaren-Honda
Fast_Time = 2:11.571
Fast_L

First_Driver = Ayrton Senna
First_Country = Brazil
First_Team = McLaren-Honda
Second_Driver = Alain Prost
Second_Country= France
Second_Team = McLaren-Honda
Third_Driver = Nigel Mansell
Third_Country = UK
Third_Team = FerrariThe 1989 Belgian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Spa-Francorchamps on August 27, 1989.

Race

The race was delayed for some time due to the wet conditions. At the start, Senna led the way from team mate Prost and Berger in the Ferrari. Nigel Mansell managed to pass both Williams on the grass on the run to La Source hairpin to claim 4th position by the first corner. Early on Berger placed pressure on Prost but was unable find a way through. Senna comfortably lead from start to finish in conditions similar to where he won his first Belgian Grand Prix in 1985. Behind him, Berger once again retired leaving Prost to fend off a charging Nigel Mansell who in his efforts to pass the McLaren made a number of unorthodox moves at the exit of La Source hairpin in an attempt to gain a better run at the McLaren through Eau Rouge and on to the long up hill straight. Senna eased up in the last few laps to allow Mansell and Prost to finish within a few seconds of the Brazilian. Johnny Herbert, in his first race for Tyrrell, replacing Jean Alesi who was busy competing in the F3000 championship said during the BBC commentary that in order to see the car in front, it was necessary to press the helmet visor against the lens of the rear facing visibility light from the car in front.

Classification

Notes

*100th Grand Prix start: Thierry Boutsen
* Neither Lotus managed to qualify
* The race marked the birthday's of both Gerhard Berger and Derek Warwick.

References

* "Unless otherwise indicated, all race results are taken from cite web |title=The Official Formula 1 website |url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1989/241/ |accessdate=2007-08-04

F1 race report
Name_of_race = Belgian Grand Prix
Year_of_race = 1989
Previous_race_in_season = 1989 Hungarian Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season = 1989 Italian Grand Prix
Previous_year's_race = 1988 Belgian Grand Prix
Next_year's_race = 1990 Belgian Grand Prix