Stefano Modena
Ferrari's Gerhard Berger started from pole position despite being ill during qualifying. Nigel Mansell was still recovering from his accident in the previous race in Japan and so Riccardo Patrese, who had already signed for Williams to partner Mansell in 1988, was given permission by Brabham owner Bernie Ecclestone to stand in for the Englishman in this race; he was replaced at Brabham by Formula 3000 champion Stefano Modena, making his Formula One debut.