1986 Australian Grand Prix

The 1986 Australian Grand Prix, otherwise known as the LI Foster's Australian Grand Prix, was the sixteenth and final round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Adelaide Street Circuit on the 26 October 1986.'Australian GP, 1986', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr436.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019) The race would see three drivers, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Nelson Piquet, battle for the Championship crown, a fight which would end in dramatic fashion late on.
Championship leader Mansell had the advantage after qualifying, grabbing pole ahead of teammate and rival Piquet. Ayrton Senna was in third ahead of Prost, with the rest of the field headed by René Arnoux in the .
Mansell duly led the field away at the start, knowing that a podium finish would be enough for him to take the title, no matter what Prost or Piquet achieved. However, the Brit would wisely leave room for Senna to charge through into the lead at the first corner, a barge that also allowed Piquet and Keke Rosberg to slip ahead.
Piquet would subsequently claim the lead later on the opening lap, knowing that he would only take the title if he won. Senna, meanwhile, was left to slip behind Rosberg, Mansell and Prost during the early stages, and was no-longer a factor in the fight for victory by the end of lap ten.
Piquet's lead would last until the seventh lap, with Rosberg barging past as Prost claimed third from Mansell. Piquet's hopes were then dashed by a spin, dumping him out of the points, while Prost's hopes of taking the crown were dashed by a puncture a few laps later.
Fortunately for Prost he only had to limp around a couple of corners, and hence rejoined in fourth behind Mansell and a charging Piquet. Indeed, on fresh rubber both Piquet and Prost would both manage to catch Mansell, although Piquet, having passed his teammate, would work alongside Mansell to keep the Frenchman behind.
Their tussle subsequently became one for the race win on lap 63, with a catastrophic failure on Rosberg's right rear tyre left the Finn stranded at the side of the circuit. Sensing this Piquet attempted to pull away from his teammate in a late bid for the title, just before Mansell's title charge was ended by a similar issue.
While travelling at over 180mph down the back straight Mansell's left-rear tyre would also fail, with bits of rubber flailing around as the Brit struggled to keep his car pointing in a straight line. Indeed, Mansell's quick reactions ensured that he did not have a spectacular accident, although the high speed failure had wrecked his suspension.
Williams reluctantly called Piquet in a couple of laps later on safety grounds, handing the lead to Prost. Piquet duly recorded a mesmerising set of laps in a desperate bid to catch the Frenchman, but ultimately fell fifteen seconds shy when the chequered flag fluttered. 
Prost hence claimed victory and the World Championship, becoming the first man since Jack Brabham in to successfully defend his crown. Piquet, meanwhile, would end the season in third, a point behind teammate Mansell, as Williams-Honda were officially declared as the Constructors' Champions after their mutual efforts.
==Background==
Nigel Mansell had remained at the head of the Championship after the Mexican Grand Prix, although his lead had been cut to six points. The Brit would, however, claim the crown if he finished third or higher in Australia, regardless of what Alain Prost or Nelson Piquet could do. Indeed, nothing short of a victory for either the Frenchman or the Brazilian would do in Oceania to overhaul Mansell's 70 point tally.
In the Constructors Championship, meanwhile, there had been very little movement in Mexico, with already declared as Champions and confirmed in second. Indeed, had managed to secure third after the battle in Mexico, leaving the fight for fourth as the only significant issue heading into the finale. held the advantage, four ahead of , although the Italian team's rather indifferent campaign meant that the French "garagistas" stood a fair chance of moving back ahead of the Scuderia at the final hurdle.
===Entry List===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Alain Prost 	Marlboro McLaren International 	 	MP4/2C 	 	TTE PO1 1.5 V6t 	
2 	Keke Rosberg 	Marlboro McLaren International 	 	MP4/2C 	 	TTE PO1 1.5 V6t 	
3 	Martin Brundle 	Data General Team Tyrrell 	 	015 	 	EF15 1.5 V6t 	
4 	Philippe Alliot 	Data General Team Tyrrell 	 	015 	 	EF15 1.5 V6t 	
5 	Nigel Mansell 	Canon Williams Honda Team 	 	FW11 	 	RA166E 1.5 V6t 	
6 	Nelson Piquet 	Canon Williams Honda Team 	 	FW11 	 	RA166E 1.5 V6t 	
7 	Riccardo Patrese 	Motor Racing Developments Ltd. 	 	BT55 	 	M12/13/1 1.5 L4t 	
8 	Derek Warwick 	Motor Racing Developments Ltd. 	 	BT55 	 	M12/13/1 1.5 L4t 	
11 	Johnny Dumfries 	John Player Special Team Lotus 	 	98T 	 	EF15B 1.5 V6t 	
12 	Ayrton Senna 	John Player Special Team Lotus 	 	98T 	 	EF15B 1.5 V6t 	
14 	Jonathan Palmer 	West Zakspeed Racing 	 	861 	 	1500/4 1.5 L4t 	
15 	Alan Jones 	Team Haas (USA) Ltd. 	 	THL2 	 	GBA 1.5 V6t 	
16 	Patrick Tambay 	Team Haas (USA) Ltd. 	 	THL2 	 	GBA 1.5 V6t 	
17 	Christian Danner 	Barclay Arrows BMW 	 	A8 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
18 	Thierry Boutsen 	Barclay Arrows BMW 	 	A8 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
19 	Teo Fabi 	Benetton Formula 	 	B186 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
20 	Gerhard Berger 	Benetton Formula 	 	B186 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
21 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	Osella Squadra Corse 	 	FA1G 	 	890T 1.5 V8t 	
22 	Allen Berg 	Osella Squadra Corse 	 	FA1F 	 	890T 1.5 V8t 	
23 	Andrea de Cesaris 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M186 	 	615-90 1.5 V6t 	
24 	Alessandro Nannini 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M185B 	 	615-90 1.5 V6t 	
25 	René Arnoux 	Equipe Ligier 	 	JS27 	 	EF15 1.5 V6t 	
26 	Philippe Alliot 	Equipe Ligier 	 	JS27 	 	EF15 1.5 V6t 	
27 	Michele Alboreto 	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC 	 	F1/86 	 	032 1.5 V6t 	
28 	Stefan Johansson 	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC 	 	F1/86 	 	032 1.5 V6t 	
29 	Huub Rothengatter 	West Zakspeed Racing 	 	861 	 	1500/4 1.5 L4t 	
Source:'Australia 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Friday Qualifying===
===Saturday Qualifying===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Time 	Gap
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Q1 	Q2 	Gap
1 	5 	Nigel Mansell 	 	1:19.255 	1:18.403 	—
2 	6 	Nelson Piquet 	 	1:20.088 	1:18.714 	+0.311s
3 	12 	Ayrton Senna 	 	1:21.302 	1:18.906 	+0.503s
4 	1 	Alain Prost 	 	1:19.785 	1:19.654 	+1.251s
5 	25 	René Arnoux 	 	1:20.491 	1:19.976 	+1.573s
6 	20 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:22.260 	1:20.554 	+2.151s
7 	2 	Keke Rosberg 	 	1:21.295 	1:20.778 	+2.375s
8 	26 	Philippe Alliot 	 	1:22.765 	1:20.981 	+2.578s
9 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	1:21.709 	1:21.747 	+3.306s
10 	4 	Philippe Streiff 	 	1:23.262 	1:21.720 	+3.317s
11 	23 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	1:23.476 	1:22.012 	+3.609s
12 	28 	Stefan Johansson 	 	1:22.050 	1:22.309 	+3.647s
13 	19 	Teo Fabi 	 	1:22.584 	1:22.129 	+3.726s
14 	11 	Johnny Dumfries 	 	1:23.786 	1:22.664 	+4.261s
15 	15 	Alan Jones 	 	24:46.383 	1:22.796 	+4.393s
16 	3 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:24.061 	1:23.004 	+4.601s
17 	16 	Patrick Tambay 	 	1:24.584 	1:23.008 	+4.605s
18 	24 	Alessandro Nannini 	 	1:25.593 	1:23.052 	+4.649s
19 	7 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	1:23.396 	1:23.230 	+4.827s
20 	8 	Derek Warwick 	 	1:23.552 	1:23.313 	+4.910s
21 	14 	Jonathan Palmer 	 	1:24.509 	1:23.476 	+5.073s
22 	18 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	1:24.768 	1:24.295 	+5.892s
23 	29 	Huub Rothengatter 	 	1:25.746 	1:25.181 	+6.778s
24 	17 	Christian Danner 	 	1:25.296 	1:25.233 	+6.831s
25 	21 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	3:03.680 	1:25.257 	+6.855s
26 	22 	Allen Berg 	 	1:28.912 	1:27.208 	+8.806s
Source:'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Australia 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Australia 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Australia 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Australia 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Australia 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Australia 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Foster's 1986 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/513/australia/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 22/03/2019)'Australia 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car to set their best time in that session.
*Bold indicates a driver's best/qualifying time.
===Grid===
** Berg would start the race from the pit lane after an issue on the formation lap.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Alain Prost 	 	82 	1:54:20.388 	4 	9
2 	6 	Nelson Piquet 	 	82 	+ 4.205 	2 	6
3 	28 	Stefan Johansson 	 	81 	+ 1 Lap 	12 	4
4 	3 	Martin Brundle 	 	81 	+ 1 Lap 	16 	3
5* 	4 	Philippe Streiff 	 	80 	Out of Fuel 	10 	2
6 	11 	Johnny Dumfries 	 	80 	+ 2 Laps 	14 	1
7 	25 	René Arnoux 	 	79 	+ 3 Laps 	5 	
8 	26 	Philippe Alliot 	 	79 	+ 3 Laps 	8 	
9 	14 	Jonathan Palmer 	 	77 	+ 5 Laps 	21 	
10 	19 	Teo Fabi 	 	77 	+ 5 Laps 	13 	
NC† 	16 	Patrick Tambay 	 	70 	+12 Laps 	17 	
Ret 	5 	Nigel Mansell 	 	63 	Tyre 	1 	
Ret 	7 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	63 	Electrical 	19 	
Ret 	2 	Keke Rosberg 	 	62 	Tyre 	7 	
NC† 	22 	Allen Berg 	 	61 	+21 Laps 	26 	
Ret 	8 	Derek Warwick 	 	57 	Brakes 	20 	
Ret 	17 	Christian Danner 	 	52 	Engine 	24 	
Ret 	18 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	50 	Engine 	22 	
Ret 	12 	Ayrton Senna 	 	43 	Engine 	3 	
Ret 	23 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	40 	Mechanical 	11 	
Ret 	20 	Gerhard Berger 	 	40 	Engine 	6 	
Ret 	29 	Huub Rothengatter 	 	29 	Suspension 	23 	
Ret 	15 	Alan Jones 	 	16 	Engine 	15 	
Ret 	24 	Alessandro Nannini 	 	10 	Accident 	18 	
Ret 	21 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	2 	Transmission 	25 	
Ret 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	0 	Collision 	9 	
Source:'Australia 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Australia 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Streiff was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
*† Tambay and Berg could not be classified as they failed to complete 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* Alain Prost declared as the FIA Formula One World Championship Champion.
** It was Prost's second World Championship success.'16. Australia 1986', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/australie.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)
** Prost also became the first driver to claim consecutive titles since Jack Brabham in .
* Alan Jones started his 116th and final Grand Prix.
* Patrick Tambay and Keke Rosberg made their 114th and final Grand Prix starts.
* entered their 200th race as an engine supplier.
* 25th career victory for Prost.
** The Frenchman also set a new record for point scoring races in a season - 13.'1986 Australian GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2015), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1986&gp=Australian%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 31/03/2019)
** Also the 50th victory for a car using #1 as its race number.
* 52nd win for as a constructor.
** claimed their 22nd win as an engine supplier.
* Nelson Piquet set a new record for most fastest laps in a single season - 7.
* Alessandro Nannini, Andrea de Cesaris and Piercarlo Ghinzani ended the season with a record 14 retirements apiece in a single season.
==Standings==
Victory, combined with Nigel Mansell's failure to score ensured that Alain Prost was declared as the 1986 FIA Formula One World Championship Champion at the final round, beating the Brit by just two points. Indeed, Mansell's dramatic exit from the race had been a fitting end to his title hopes, with the Brit vowing to come back stronger in . Third, meanwhile, would go to Nelson Piquet, a point behind his teammate, while Ayrton Senna and Stefan Johansson completed the end of season top five.
In the Constructors Championship, meanwhile, 1986 Champions could finally claim their prize, ending the season on 141 points. would end their title defence in a distant second, 45 behind the Champions, while rounded out the year on 58 in third. , meanwhile, completed a rather anonymous campaign in fourth ahead of , with ten constructors out of fifteen registering points.
 
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Alain Prost 	72 (74) 	1
2 	Nigel Mansell 	70 (72) 	1
3 	Nelson Piquet 	69 	
4 	Ayrton Senna 	55 	
5 	Stefan Johansson 	23 	1
6 	Keke Rosberg 	22 	1
7 	Gerhard Berger 	17 	
8 	Jacques Laffite 	14 	
9 	Michele Alboreto 	14 	
10 	René Arnoux 	14 	
11 	Martin Brundle 	8 	
12 	Alan Jones 	4 	
13 	Johnny Dumfries 	3 	
14 	Philippe Streiff 	3 	3
15 	Patrick Tambay 	2 	1
16 	Teo Fabi 	2 	1
17 	Riccardo Patrese 	2 	1
18 	Christian Danner 	1 	
19 	Philippe Alliot 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	141 	
2 	 	96 	
3 	 	58 	
4 	 	37 	
5 	 	29 	
6 	 	19 	
7 	 	11 	1
8 	 	6 	1
9 	 	2 	
10 	 	1 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1986 Grands Prix
Category:Australian Grand Prix