1984 European Grand Prix

The 1984 European Grand Prix, otherwise officially known as the XXXVI AvD-Großer Preis von Europa, was the fifteenth and penultimate round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Nürburgring, Germany, on the 7 October 1984.'European GP, 1984', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr403.html, (Accessed 21/03/2019) The race, which was the first Grand Prix to be staged on the new Nürburgring GP-Strecke, would see Alain Prost claim victory as he closed the gap on teammate Niki Lauda at the head of the Championship.
A series of big announcements were made in the build-up to the race, with the biggest news originating from Michelin, who announced that they would withdraw from F1 at the end of the 1984 campaign. Elsewhere the funded was unveiled ahead of its planned debut in 1985, while Carl Haas revealed plans to enter his own F1 team in .
On track, meanwhile, it was Nelson Piquet who claimed pole position during qualifying, beating title pretender Prost by three tenths. Championship leader Niki Lauda, meanwhile, would qualify a distant fifteenth, with rain during Saturday preventing any improvements on Friday's efforts.
The start would see Piquet make an unusually sluggish getaway in the , allowing Prost and Patrick Tambay to sprint past to claim the lead. Lauda, meanwhile, would make a relatively good start, before a huge accident eliminated six drivers at the first corner.
The cause of said accident was Ayrton Senna, who misjudged his braking point and slammed straight into the back of Keke Rosberg. Seeing this, Marc Surer jumped on his brakes, resulting in Gerhard Berger slamming into the back of his , with the quartet of sliding cars also collecting Teo Fabi and Piercarlo Ghinzani en-route to the grass.
Five of the drivers were out on the spot, with the cars abandoned at the side of the circuit without the race being stopped. Fabi was the only one to rejoin, courtesy of an illegal push-start, although his race would be ended later on by a gearbox failure.
On track, meanwhile, Prost would establish a fair lead over Tambay and Piquet, while Lauda made an early charge through the field. Indeed, the Austrian ace would break into the points before the end of lap five, before chasing after the top five which had already broken clear.
Yet, there would be no further overtaking action at the head of the field, with the only changes coming when Tambay and Derek Warwick hit engine trouble. The former's retirement mid-race allowed Prost to cruise home to a sixth victory of the season, while Piquet lost second on the final lap after running out of fuel. He would, however, still claim third ahead of Lauda, René Arnoux and Riccardo Patrese.
The results of the race meant that Prost trailed teammate Lauda by 3.5 points heading into the season finale in Portugal, with already declared as the Constructors' Championship Champions.
==Background==
In terms of the Championship Niki Lauda's fifth victory of the season last time out in Italy ensured that the Austrian would arrive at the Nürburgring with a 9.5 point lead at the head of the field, meaning he would take the title with victory. Indeed, teammate Alain Prost would have to finish ahead of Lauda if he was to keep his title challenge alive, with neither driver set to lose points as a result of the dropped score rule. Behind, Elio de Angelis arrived in Germany too far back to challenge having failed to score at Monza, leaving him at the head of the fight to finish third.
With already declared as Constructors Champions all of the focus in Italy had been on the fight for second, where had moved back ahead of . Indeed, the Scuderia had moved 1.5 points ahead in their season-long game of leapfrog, having trailed the team from Ethel by 4.5 at the start of the Italian weekend. Those two also looked set to duel for the runner-up spot until the end of the season, although and still had a mathematical chance of overtaking them upon arrival in Germany.
===Entry List===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Nelson Piquet 	MRD International 	 	BT53 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
2 	Teo Fabi 	MRD International 	 	BT53 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
5 	Jacques Laffite 	Williams Grand Prix Engineering 	 	FW09B 	 	RA164E 1.5 V6t 	
6 	Keke Rosberg 	Williams Grand Prix Engineering 	 	FW09B 	 	RA164E 1.5 V6t 	
7 	Alain Prost 	Marlboro McLaren International 	 	MP4/2 	 	TTE PO1 1.5 V6t 	
8 	Niki Lauda 	Marlboro McLaren International 	 	MP4/2 	 	TTE PO1 1.5 V6t 	
9 	Philippe Alliot 	Skoal Bandit F1 Team 	 	02 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
10 	Jonathan Palmer 	Skoal Bandit F1 Team 	 	02 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
11 	Elio de Angelis 	John Player Team Lotus 	 	95T 	 	EF4 1.5 V6t 	
12 	Nigel Mansell 	John Player Team Lotus 	 	95T 	 	EF4 1.5 V6t 	
15 	Patrick Tambay 	Equipe Renault Elf 	 	RE50 	 	EF4 1.5 V6t 	
16 	Derek Warwick 	Equipe Renault Elf 	 	RE50 	 	EF4 1.5 V6t 	
17 	Marc Surer 	Barclay Nordica Arrows BMW 	 	A7 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
18 	Thierry Boutsen 	Barclay Nordica Arrows BMW 	 	A7 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
19 	Ayrton Senna 	Toleman Group Motorsport 	 	TG184 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
20 	Stefan Johansson 	Toleman Group Motorsport 	 	TG184 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
21 	Mauro Baldi 	Spirit Racing 	 	101 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
22 	Riccardo Patrese 	Benetton Team Alfa Romeo 	 	184T 	 	890T 1.5 L4t 	
23 	Eddie Cheever 	Benetton Team Alfa Romeo 	 	184T 	 	890T 1.5 L4t 	
24 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	Osella Squadra Corse 	 	FA1F 	 	890T 1.5 L4t 	
25 	François Hesnault 	Ligier Loto 	 	JS23 	 	EF4 1.5 V6t 	
26 	Andrea de Cesaris 	Ligier Loto 	 	JS23B 	 	EF4 1.5 V6t 	
27 	Michele Alboreto 	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC 	 	126C4 	 	031 1.5 V6t 	
28 	René Arnoux 	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC 	 	126C4 	 	031 1.5 V6t 	
30 	Jo Gartner 	Osella Squadra Corse 	 	FA1F 	 	890T 1.5 L4t 	
31 	Gerhard Berger 	Team ATS 	 	D7 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
34 	Pascal Fabre 	Spirit Racing 	 	101 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
Source:'Europe 1984: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)
==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 	1 	Nelson Piquet 	 	1:18.871T 	1:43.988 	
2 	7 	Alain Prost 	 	1:19.175 	1:40.693 	+0.304s
3 	15 	Patrick Tambay 	 	1:19.499 	 	+0.628s
4 	6 	Keke Rosberg 	 	1:20.652 	1:43.619 	+1.781s
5 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	1:20.910 	1:41.878 	+2.039s
6 	28 	René Arnoux 	 	1:21.180 	1:42.457 	+2.309s
7 	16 	Derek Warwick 	 	1:21.571T 	1:44.289 	+2.700s
8 	12 	Nigel Mansell 	 	1:21.710 	1:40.705 	+2.839s
9 	22 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	1:21.937 	1:41.724 	+3.066s
10 	2 	Teo Fabi 	 	1:22.206 	1:45.075 	+3.335s
11 	18 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	1:22.248 	1:44.642 	+3.377s
12 	19 	Ayrton Senna 	 	1:22.439 	1:43.747 	+3.568s
13 	23 	Eddie Cheever 	 	1:22.525 	1:41.285 	+3.654s
14 	5 	Jacques Laffite 	 	1:22.613 	 	+3.742s
15 	8 	Niki Lauda 	 	1:22.643T 	1:40.392 	+3.772s
16 	17 	Marc Surer 	 	1:22.708 	1:45.319 	+3.837s
17 	26 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	1:23.034 	1:42.362 	+4.163s
18 	31 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:23.116T 	1:44.899 	+4.245s
19 	25 	François Hesnault 	 	1:23.322T 	1:44.420 	+4.451s
20 	24 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	1:24.699 	1:42.746 	+5.828s
21 	10 	Jonathan Palmer 	 	1:25.050 	1:51.449 	+6.179s
22 	30 	Jo Gartner 	 	1:26.156 	1:48.214 	+7.285s
23 	11 	Elio de Angelis 	 	1:26.161 	1:39.762T 	+7.290s
24 	21 	Mauro Baldi 	 	1:28.137 	1:45.814 	+9.266s
25 	9 	Philippe Alliot 	 	1:30.259 	1:53.587 	+11.388s
26 	20 	Stefan Johansson 	 	1:41.178 	1:43.881 	+22.307s
WD 	34 	Pascal Fabre 	 	Withdrawn 	Withdrawn 	Withdrawn
Source:'Europe 1984: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)
*Bold indicates best/qualifying time.
*T Indicates driving a test/spare car in qualifying sessions.
** Fabre's entry was withdrawn as the Frenchman lacked a Super Licence.
===Grid===
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	7 	Alain Prost 	 	67 	1:35:13.284 	2 	9
2 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	67 	+23.911s 	5 	6
3 	1 	Nelson Piquet 	 	67 	+24.922s 	1 	4
4 	8 	Niki Lauda 	 	67 	+43.086s 	15 	3
5 	28 	René Arnoux 	 	67 	+1:01.430 	6 	2
6 	22 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	66 	+1 lap 	9 	1
7 	26 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	65 	+2 laps 	17 	
8 	21 	Mauro Baldi 	 	65 	+2 laps 	24 	
9* 	18 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	64 	Out of fuel 	11 	
10 	25 	François Hesnault 	 	64 	+3 laps 	19 	
11* 	16 	Derek Warwick 	 	61 	Exhaust 	7 	
12* 	30 	Jo Gartner 	 	60 	Out of fuel 	22 	
Ret 	2 	Teo Fabi 	 	57 	Gearbox 	10 	
Ret 	12 	Nigel Mansell 	 	51 	Engine 	8 	
Ret 	15 	Patrick Tambay 	 	47 	Fuel injection 	3 	
Ret 	23 	Eddie Cheever 	 	37 	Fuel pump 	13 	
Ret 	9 	Philippe Alliot 	 	37 	Turbo 	25 	
Ret 	10 	Jonathan Palmer 	 	35 	Turbo 	21 	
Ret 	5 	Jacques Laffite 	 	27 	Engine 	14 	
Ret 	11 	Elio de Angelis 	 	25 	Turbo 	23 	
Ret 	20 	Stefan Johansson 	 	17 	Overheating 	26 	
Ret 	6 	Keke Rosberg 	 	0 	Accident 	4 	
Ret 	31 	Gerhard Berger 	 	0 	Accident 	18 	
Ret 	17 	Marc Surer 	 	0 	Accident 	16 	
Ret 	24 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	0 	Accident 	20 	
Ret 	19 	Ayrton Senna 	 	0 	Accident 	12 	
WD 	34 	Pascal Fabre 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Europe 1984: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1984: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)
** Boutsen, Warwick, and Gartner were classified despite retiring as they had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* First race at the Nürburgring GP-Strecke.'1984 European GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2015), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1984&gp=European%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 21/03/2019)
** It was also the first Grand Prix to be staged at the Nürburgring since the 1976 German Grand Prix.
* 25th entry for Thierry Boutsen.
* Castrol earned their tenth pole position as a lubricant manufacturer.
* Fifteenth victory for Alain Prost.'15. Europe 1984', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1984/europe.aspx, (Accessed 21/03/2019)
* claimed their 41st victory as a constructor.
** earned their 11th win as an engine supplier.
* Nelson Piquet claimed the 41st and final fastest lap recorded by a chassis.
==Standings==
Victory ensured that Alain Prost kept his title hopes alive heading into the season finale in Portugal, with the Frenchman just 3.5 points behind teammate Niki Lauda. Indeed, the Austrian would win his third World Championship if he finished second at Estoril, regardless of what Prost did, with the Frenchman having to finish third or higher just to overhaul Lauda's tally. The battle for third would also have to be concluded at the final race, with Elio de Angelis, the man in third, through to Derek Warwick in seventh, all having a mathematical chance to finish best of the rest.
In the Constructors' Championship continued to show their dominance, with the Anglo-German effort ending the European Grand Prix with 128.5 points to their name. had remained their closest "challengers", albeit with less than half the number of points, and had opened a 9.5 point advantage over third placed . Indeed, with one race the fight for second seemed to be over, although the Ethel based squad still had a mathematical chance of overhauling the Scuderia in Portugal.
 
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Niki Lauda 	66 	
2 	Alain Prost 	62.5 	
3 	Elio de Angelis 	32 	
4 	Nelson Piquet 	28 	1
5 	Michele Alboreto 	27.5 	2
6 	René Arnoux 	27 	2
7 	Derek Warwick 	23 	1
8 	Keke Rosberg 	20.5 	
9 	Nigel Mansell 	13 	
10 	Patrick Tambay 	11 	
11 	Ayrton Senna 	9 	
12 	Teo Fabi 	9 	
13 	Riccardo Patrese 	8 	
14 	Jacques Laffite 	5 	
15 	Thierry Boutsen 	5 	
16 	Eddie Cheever 	3 	
17 	Stefan Johansson 	3 	
18 	Andrea de Cesaris 	3 	
19 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	2 	
20 	Marc Surer 	1 	
World Championship for Manufacturers	World Championship for Manufacturers	World Championship for Manufacturers	World Championship for Manufacturers
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	128.5 	
2 	 	54.5 	
3 	 	45 	
4 	 	37 	1
5 	 	34 	1
6 	 	25.5 	
7 	 	12 	
8 	 	11 	
9 	 	3 	
10 	 	3 	
11 	 	3 	
12 	 	2 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
These standings have been modified to show the Championship as it stood after the retroactive disqualification of the 012 and drivers Martin Brundle and Stefan Bellof.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1984 Grands Prix
Category:European Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Germany