1985 European Grand Prix

The 1985 European Grand Prix, otherwise advertised as the XXXVII Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe, was the fourteenth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at Brands Hatch in the UK on the 6 October 1985.'European GP, 1985', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr418.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019) The race would see Nigel Mansell claim a popular maiden victory on home soil, as Alain Prost secured his maiden World Championship triumph.
Qualifying had seen Ayrton Senna grab pole position for once again, edging out compatriot Nelson Piquet of . The second row proved to be an all- affair, Mansell ahead of Keke Rosberg, while Prost grabbed sixth with title rival Michele Alboreto down in twelfth.
The start would see Rosberg make an initially awful getaway, allowing Mansell to charge into second behind Senna. Prost, meanwhile, would get caught out by the slow starting Finn, and duly dropped to fourteenth after a bounce across the grass trying to avoid the Williams-Honda.
The early stages would see Mansell slip back behind both Rosberg, who made up for his poor start by immediately leaping back into second, and Piquet, while Prost fought his way back into the top ten. The top four would subsequently pull clear of Elio de Angelis and Marc Surer, while Derek Warwick was an early retirement when his fuel injectors failed.
However, the entire picture of the race was to change on lap seven, for a lunge from Rosberg on Senna for the lead would result in the Williams getting pitched into a spin. Piquet, running right behind the Finn, duly smashed into the front wheel of the pirouetting Finn and destroyed the front of his car, while Mansell swept through to claim second.
Rosberg would manage to limp back to the pits and rejoin, losing almost an entire lap as he had his punctured tyre replaced. Indeed, the Finn would sprint out of the pits just in time to aid teammate Mansell's bid for the lead, managing to "accidentally" hold Senna up enough for Mansell to catch and pass the Brazilian.
With Mansell leading Rosberg was cleared to unlap himself, with the Finn duly sprinting away to catch the back of the field. Elsewhere, Prost had moved back into the top six, but was being harassed by Jacques Laffite, while Alboreto's race came to an early end with a turbo failure.
Indeed, the rest of the race would be about Prost's bid for the title, for the Frenchman only needed to finish fifth once Alboreto disappeared. However, Prost's pace was not particularly strong, and as the race entered its final phases he would be passed by both Laffite and a charging Rosberg. Fortunately for him a series of retirements would keep him up in the top six, before a late move on de Angelis left him in fifth.
With that the race was run, with Mansell sweeping home to claim victory from Senna by twenty seconds, while Rosberg was a full minute behind in third. Prost, meanwhile, would clinch the title with fourth, following a late engine failure for Laffite, with de Angelis and Thierry Boutsen completing the points.
The three points Prost registered for fourth ensured that he became the first French World Champion in F1 history. His team , meanwhile, were a race away from claiming the Constructors' Championship for the second successive season, with two races left in 1985.
==Background==
Third place in Belgium had ensured that Alain Prost extended his Championship lead over Michele Alboreto, with the pair having ended the weekend some sixteen points apart. Indeed, with just 27 points left to fight for Prost could realistically win the title at Brands Hatch, provided he scored two more points than Alboreto. Elsewhere, Ayrton Senna had moved into third after his second victory of the season, with Elio de Angelis having continued to slip away in fourth.
The Constructors Championship was still being led by after the battle of Belgium, although their lead was still a fairly insecure six points. Indeed, had only dropped a couple of points further behind the Anglo-German effort after the visit to Spa, and hence remained a major contender for the title. Furthermore, had closed the gap in third, moving to within twenty points of the leaders.
===Entry List===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	John Watson 	Marlboro McLaren International 	 	MP4/2B 	 	TTE PO1 1.5 V6t 	
2 	Alain Prost 	Marlboro McLaren International 	 	MP4/2B 	 	TTE PO1 1.5 V6t 	
3 	Martin Brundle 	Tyrrell Racing Organisation 	 	014 	 	EF4B 1.5 V6t 	
4 	Ivan Capelli 	Tyrrell Racing Organisation 	 	014 	 	EF4B 1.5 V6t 	
5 	Nigel Mansell 	Canon Williams Honda Team 	 	FW10B 	 	RA163E 1.5 V6t 	
6 	Keke Rosberg 	Canon Williams Honda Team 	 	FW10B 	 	RA163E 1.5 V6t 	
7 	Nelson Piquet 	Motor Racing Developments Ltd. 	 	BT54 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
8 	Marc Surer 	Motor Racing Developments Ltd. 	 	BT54 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
9 	Philippe Alliot 	Skoal Bandit F1 Team 	 	03 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
11 	Elio de Angelis 	John Player Special Team Lotus 	 	97T 	 	EF4 1.5 V6t 	
12 	Ayrton Senna 	John Player Special Team Lotus 	 	97T 	 	EF4 1.5 V6t 	
15 	Patrick Tambay 	Equipe Renault Elf 	 	RE60B 	 	EF15 1.5 V6t 	
16 	Derek Warwick 	Equipe Renault Elf 	 	RE60B 	 	EF15 1.5 V6t 	
17 	Gerhard Berger 	Barclay Arrows BMW 	 	A8 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
18 	Thierry Boutsen 	Barclay Arrows BMW 	 	A8 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
19 	Teo Fabi 	Toleman Group Motorsport 	 	TG185 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
20 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	Toleman Group Motorsport 	 	TG185 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
22 	Riccardo Patrese 	Benetton Team Alfa Romeo 	 	185T 	 	890T 1.5 V8t 	
23 	Eddie Cheever 	Benetton Team Alfa Romeo 	 	185T 	 	890T 1.5 V8t 	
24 	Huub Rothengatter 	Osella Squadra Corse 	 	FA1G 	 	890T 1.5 V8t 	
25 	Philippe Streiff 	Equipe Ligier Gitanes 	 	JS25 	 	EF4B 1.5 V6t 	
26 	Jacques Laffite 	Equipe Ligier Gitanes 	 	JS25 	 	EF4B 1.5 V6t 	
27 	Michele Alboreto 	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC 	 	156/85 	 	031 1.5 V6t 	
28 	Stefan Johansson 	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC 	 	156/85 	 	031 1.5 V6t 	
29 	Pierluigi Martini 	Minardi Team SpA 	 	M185 	 	615-90 1.5 V6t 	
30 	Christian Danner 	West Zakspeed Racing 	 	841 	 	1500/4 1.5 L4t 	
33 	Alan Jones 	Team Haas (USA) Ltd. 	 	THL1 	 	415T 1.5 L4t 	
Source:'Europe 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)
==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 	12 	Ayrton Senna 	 	1:08.020 	1:07.169 	—
2 	7 	Nelson Piquet 	 	1:09.204 	1:07.482 	+0.313s
3 	5 	Nigel Mansell 	 	1:10.537 	1:08.059 	+0.890s
4 	6 	Keke Rosberg 	 	1:09.277 	1:08.197 	+1.028s
5 	25 	Philippe Streiff 	 	1:10.396 	1:09.080 	+1.911s
6 	2 	Alain Prost 	 	1:10.345 	1:09.429 	+2.260s
7 	8 	Marc Surer 	 	1:09.762 	1:09.913 	+2.593s
8 	16 	Derek Warwick 	 	1:11.014 	1:09.904 	+2.735s
9 	11 	Elio de Angelis 	 	1:11.530 	1:10.014 	+2.845s
10 	26 	Jacques Laffite 	 	1:11.312 	1:10.081 	+2.912s
11 	22 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	1:10.963 	1:10.251 	+3.082s
12 	18 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	1:10.918 	1:10.323 	+3.154s
13 	28 	Stefan Johansson 	 	1:11.309 	1:10.517 	+3.348s
14 	20 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	1:13.517 	1:10.570 	+3.401s
15 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	1:10.877 	1:10.659 	+3.490s
16 	3 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:11.296 	1:10.731 	+3.562s
17 	15 	Patrick Tambay 	 	1:13.048 	1:10.934 	+3.765s
18 	23 	Eddie Cheever 	 	1:12.766 	1:11.500 	+4.331s
19 	17 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:11.608 	1:11.638 	+4.439s
20 	19 	Teo Fabi 	 	1:13.024 	1:12.090 	+4.921s
21 	1 	John Watson 	 	1:12.496 	1:12.516 	+5.327s
22 	33 	Alan Jones 	 	1:14.050 	1:13.084 	+5.915s
23 	9 	Philippe Alliot 	 	1:14.355 	1:13.537 	+6.368s
24 	4 	Ivan Capelli 	 	1:16.879 	1:13.721 	+6.552s
25 	30 	Christian Danner 	 	1:15.947 	1:15.054 	+7.885s
26 	29 	Pierluigi Martini 	 	1:16.642 	1:15.127 	+9.473s
DNQ 	24 	Huub Rothengatter 	 	1:16.994 	1:18.022 	+9.825s
Source:'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Europe 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Europe 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Europe 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Europe 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Europe 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Europe 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Shell Oils Grand Prix of Europe - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1985/races/495/europe/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 26/03/2019)'Europe 1985: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/engages.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)
*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===
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	5 	Nigel Mansell 	 	75 	1:32:58.109 	3 	9
2 	12 	Ayrton Senna 	 	75 	+21.396s 	1 	6
3 	6 	Keke Rosberg 	 	75 	+58.533s 	4 	4
4 	2 	Alain Prost 	 	75 	+1:06.121 	6 	3
5 	11 	Elio de Angelis 	 	74 	+1 Lap 	9 	2
6 	18 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	73 	+2 Laps 	12 	1
7 	1 	John Watson 	 	73 	+2 Laps 	21 	
8 	25 	Philippe Streiff 	 	73 	+2 Laps 	5 	
9 	22 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	73 	+2 Laps 	11 	
10 	17 	Gerhard Berger 	 	73 	+2 Laps 	19 	
11 	23 	Eddie Cheever 	 	73 	+2 Laps 	18 	
12 	15 	Patrick Tambay 	 	72 	+3 Laps 	17 	
Ret 	8 	Marc Surer 	 	62 	Turbo 	7 	
Ret 	28 	Stefan Johansson 	 	59 	Electrical 	13 	
Ret 	26 	Jacques Laffite 	 	58 	Engine 	10 	
Ret 	30 	Christian Danner 	 	55 	Engine 	25 	
Ret 	4 	Ivan Capelli 	 	44 	Accident 	24 	
Ret 	3 	Martin Brundle 	 	40 	Water leak 	16 	
Ret 	19 	Teo Fabi 	 	33 	Engine 	20 	
Ret 	9 	Philippe Alliot 	 	31 	Engine 	23 	
Ret 	20 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	16 	Engine 	14 	
Ret 	33 	Alan Jones 	 	13 	Radiator 	22 	
Ret 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	13 	Turbo 	15 	
Ret 	7 	Nelson Piquet 	 	6 	Collision 	2 	
Ret 	16 	Derek Warwick 	 	4 	Fuel injector 	8 	
Ret 	29 	Pierluigi Martini 	 	3 	Accident 	26 	
DNQ 	24 	Huub Rothengatter 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Europe 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)	Source:'Europe 1985: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* Alain Prost declared as the FIA Formula One World Championship Champion.
** Prost also became the first French driver to win the World Championship.'1985 European GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2015), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1985&gp=European%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 26/03/2019)
* 152nd and final Grand Prix for John Watson.'14. Europe 1985', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1985/europe.aspx, (Accessed 26/03/2019)
** It was also Watson's first start since the 1983 South African Grand Prix.
* Debut race for Ivan Capelli.
* Nigel Mansell secured his maiden victory.
* claimed their twentieth win as a constructor.
** Engine partners claimed their fifth victory.
* Sixth and final fastest lap recorded by Jacques Laffite.
** This was also the ninth and final fastest lap recorded by a chassis.
* Philippe Alliot set a new record for consecutive retirements - 10.
==Standings==
Fourth place was more than enough for Alain Prost to claim his maiden World Championship, the Frenchman becoming the first man from La République to claim the crown. Indeed, Michele Alboreto would have to settle for second after his retirement at Brands Hatch, with the Italian holding a healthy fifteen point advantage over third placed Ayrton Senna. The Brazilian himself, meanwhile, could secure his first top-three Championship finish in South Africa, if he could outscore teammate Elio de Angelis.
In the Constructors' Championship it was advantage with two rounds to go, with the Anglo-German effort needing to outscore by six points in South Africa to take the crown. Indeed, the Italian team were now under serious threat of losing second, with making a late bid for the title amid Senna's late form. The Ethel effort would head to Kyalami fifteen points behind the leaders, and just six off the back of the Scuderia in second, although McLaren-TAG Porsche were still favourites regardless.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Alain Prost 	72 	
2 	Michele Alboreto 	53 	
3 	Ayrton Senna 	38 	
4 	Elio de Angelis 	33 	
5 	Keke Rosberg 	25 	
6 	Nigel Mansell 	22 	3
7 	Nelson Piquet 	21 	1
8 	Stefan Johansson 	21 	1
9 	Niki Lauda 	14 	1
10 	Patrick Tambay 	11 	
11 	Thierry Boutsen 	10 	1
12 	Jacques Laffite 	10 	1
13 	Marc Surer 	5 	
14 	Derek Warwick 	5 	
15 	Stefan Bellof 	4 	
16 	Andrea de Cesaris 	3 	
17 	René Arnoux 	3 	
World Championship for Manufacturers	World Championship for Manufacturers	World Championship for Manufacturers	World Championship for Manufacturers
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	86 	
2 	 	77 	
3 	 	71 	
4 	 	47 	
5 	 	26 	
6 	 	16 	
7 	 	13 	
8 	 	10 	
9 	 	4 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
* 
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1985 Grands Prix
Category:European Grand Prix