1986 Mexican Grand Prix

The 1986 Mexican Grand Prix, otherwise known as the X Gran Premio de Mexico, was the fifteenth and penultimate round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City on the 12 October 1986.'Mexican GP, 1986', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr435.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019) The race, which was the first Mexican Grand Prix to be staged since 1970, would see Gerhard Berger claim a maiden victory for himself and .
In the sixteen years since F1's last visit to the Autódromo the circuit had been renovated and shortened, with the infamous Peraltada also re-profiled to lessen the banking. However, while the facilities had been revamped the circuit itself remained hugely bumpy, with geological developments causing the surface to deteriorate further before F1's return.
Qualifying would see Ayrton Senna grab pole position for , with compatriot Nelson Piquet alongside. Championship leader Nigel Mansell, who would win the title if he finished ahead of Piquet and Alain Prost, was third, while Berger grabbed fourth.
Unfortunately for Mansell his title hopes were slashed at the start, with the Brit making a miserable getaway from third. He duly slumped to the back of the field as Senna and Piquet duelled for the lead, with the Lotus emerging from the first corner ahead of the .
The early stages would see the order stabilise out front, with Senna able to keep Piquet at arms length, while Prost elbowed his way past Berger for third. Mansell, meanwhile, would easily sweep past the backmarkers to get back into the top ten, although in doing so he trashed his tyres and had to pit.
Indeed, the race ultimately became one dictated by tyre wear, with all of the Goodyear runners having to make a stop. In the resulting mix-up Berger would shuffle to the head of the field, the only driver in the top end of the field using Pirelli tyres.
Prost would also benefit from the stops, shuffling ahead of Senna and Piquet, and duly managed to close the gap to the non-stopping Berger. Yet, before too long Prost, as well as the other Goodyear runners, had huge blisters develop on their tyres, effectively ending any hope of them catching the Austrian out front.
With that the race was effectively run, with Berger nursing his Benetton-BMW home to claim his first victory in F1. Prost, Senna and Piquet duly held station in second through to fourth, while Mansell benefited from several late retirements to grab fifth ahead of Philippe Alliot.
Ultimately, those two points would mean little to Mansell's title hopes, for his fifth place in Mexico was considered as a dropped score and hence kept his tally for the season at 70. Yet, the Brit would still win the title in Australia if he finished on the podium, while Prost and Piquet would have to win the race outright to claim the crown.
==Background==
Victory in Portugal had moved Nigel Mansell ten points clear in the Championship with two races to go, meaning he could take the title with victory in Mexico. Indeed, either Nelson Piquet or Alain Prost would have to finish ahead of the Brit, and claim points, to keep the title fight alive, with Prost having to claim fourth or better regardless. Ayrton Senna, meanwhile, had fallen out of the title fight with two rounds to go, his late retirement in Estoril ensuring he was nineteen points off Mansell, with eighteen left to fight for.
In contrast the battle for the 1986 Constructors' Championship was over, for had built an unassailable lead with two rounds to go. Indeed, their tally of 130 left them 49 points clear of after the battle of Portugal, with the Anglo-German alliance effectively guaranteed second as consolation. still had a mathematical chance of beating them to the runner-up spot, but would have to claim first and second in both of the remaining races to do so.
===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:'Mexico 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Mexico 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 	12 	Ayrton Senna 	 	1:18.367 	1:16.990 	—
2 	6 	Nelson Piquet 	 	1:18.037 	1:17.279 	+0.289s
3 	5 	Nigel Mansell 	 	1:18.269 	1:17.514 	+0.524s
4 	20 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:17.780 	1:17.609 	+0.619s
5 	7 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	1:21.241 	1:18.285 	+1.295s
6 	1 	Alain Prost 	 	1:19.294 	1:18.421 	+1.431s
7 	8 	Derek Warwick 	 	1:19.713 	1:18.527 	+1.537s
8 	16 	Patrick Tambay 	 	1:20.492 	1:18.839 	+1.849s
9 	19 	Teo Fabi 	 	1:18.971 	1:18.893 	+1.903s
10 	26 	Philippe Alliot 	 	1:20.372 	1:19.257 	+2.267s
11 	2 	Keke Rosberg 	 	— 	1:19.342 	+2.352s
12 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	1:19.628 	1:19.388 	+2.398s
13 	25 	René Arnoux 	 	1:19.624 	1:20.458 	+2.634s
14 	28 	Stefan Johansson 	 	1:20.303 	1:19.769 	+2.779s
15 	15 	Alan Jones 	 	1:20.525 	1:20.090 	+3.100s
16 	3 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:21.587 	1:20.198 	+3.208s
17 	11 	Johnny Dumfries 	 	1:20.479 	1:21.491 	+3.489s
18 	14 	Jonathan Palmer 	 	1:21.154 	1:20.668 	+3.678s
19 	4 	Philippe Streiff 	 	1:20.946 	1:21.174 	+3.956s
20 	17 	Christian Danner 	 	1:21.069 	1:21.461 	+4.079s
21 	18 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	1:21.171 	1:21.361 	+4.181s
22 	23 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	1:22.470 	1:22.521 	+5.480s
23 	29 	Huub Rothengatter 	 	1:23.812 	1:22.524 	+5.534s
24 	24 	Alessandro Nannini 	 	1:25.179 	1:23.457 	+6.467s
25 	21 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	1:25.767 	1:24.176 	+7.186s
26 	22 	Allen Berg 	 	1:26.573 	1:27.209 	+9.583s
Source:'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Mexico 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Mexico 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Mexico 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Mexico 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Mexico 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Mexico 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Gran Premio de Mexico - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1986/races/512/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 31/03/2019)'Mexico 1986: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/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===
** Rothengatter was unable to start after an accident in the warm-up.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	20 	Gerhard Berger 	 	68 	1:33:18.700 	4 	9
2 	1 	Alain Prost 	 	68 	+25.438s 	6 	6
3 	12 	Ayrton Senna 	 	68 	+52.513s 	1 	4
4 	6 	Nelson Piquet 	 	67 	+1 Lap 	2 	3
5 	5 	Nigel Mansell 	 	67 	+1 Lap 	3 	2
6 	26 	Philippe Alliot 	 	67 	+1 Lap 	10 	1
7 	18 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	66 	+2 Laps 	21 	
8 	23 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	66 	+2 Laps 	22 	
9 	17 	Christian Danner 	 	66 	+2 Laps 	20 	
10* 	14 	Jonathan Palmer 	 	65 	Out of fuel 	18 	
11 	3 	Martin Brundle 	 	65 	+3 Laps 	16 	
12* 	28 	Stefan Johansson 	 	64 	Turbo 	14 	
13* 	7 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	64 	Spin 	5 	
14 	24 	Alessandro Nannini 	 	64 	+4 Laps 	24 	
15* 	25 	René Arnoux 	 	63 	Engine 	13 	
16 	22 	Allen Berg 	 	61 	+7 Laps 	26 	
Ret 	11 	Johnny Dumfries 	 	53 	Electrical 	17 	
Ret 	8 	Derek Warwick 	 	37 	Engine 	7 	
Ret 	15 	Alan Jones 	 	35 	Tyre 	15 	
Ret 	2 	Keke Rosberg 	 	32 	Puncture 	11 	
Ret 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	10 	Turbo 	12 	
Ret 	21 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	8 	Turbo 	25 	
Ret 	4 	Philippe Streiff 	 	8 	Turbo 	19 	
Ret 	19 	Teo Fabi 	 	4 	Engine 	9 	
Ret 	16 	Patrick Tambay 	 	0 	Accident 	8 	
DNS† 	29 	Huub Rothengatter 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Mexico 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 30/01/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 30/01/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 30/01/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 30/01/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 30/01/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 30/01/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 30/01/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1986: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 30/01/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Palmer, Johansson, Patrese and Arnoux were all still classified despite retiring as they had completed 90% of the race distance.
*† Rothengatter was unable to start after an accident during warm-up.
==Milestones==
* Piercarlo Ghinzani started his 50th Grand Prix.'15. Mexico 1986', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1986/mexique.aspx, (Accessed 31/03/2019)
** Also the 200th entry for a car using #21 as its race number.'1986 Mexican GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2015), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1986&gp=Mexican%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 31/03/2019)
* Fifteenth pole for Ayrton Senna.
** Also the 50th pole for as an engine supplier.
* Maiden victory for Gerhard Berger.
** This was the tenth win for a car using #20 as its race number.
* secured their first win as a constructor.
** Ninth win for as an engine supplier.
==Standings==
Nigel Mansell remained at the head of the Championship after the Mexican Grand Prix, although his lead had been cut to six points. Regardless, the Brit would claim the crown if he finished third or higher in Australia, regardless of what Alain Prost or Nigel Mansell 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, with already declared as Champions, and confirmed in second. Indeed, had even claimed third after the race in Mexico, leaving the battle for fourth as the only significant issue heading into the finale in Australia. 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.
 
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Nigel Mansell 	70 (72) 	
2 	Alain Prost 	64 (65) 	1
3 	Nelson Piquet 	63 	1
4 	Ayrton Senna 	55 	
5 	Keke Rosberg 	22 	
6 	Stefan Johansson 	19 	
7 	Gerhard Berger 	17 	3
8 	Jacques Laffite 	14 	1
9 	Michele Alboreto 	14 	1
10 	René Arnoux 	14 	1
11 	Martin Brundle 	5 	
12 	Alan Jones 	4 	
13 	Johnny Dumfries 	2 	
14 	Patrick Tambay 	2 	
15 	Teo Fabi 	2 	
16 	Riccardo Patrese 	2 	
17 	Philippe Streiff 	1 	
18 	Christian Danner 	1 	
19 	Philippe Alliot 	1 	3
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	135 	
2 	 	87 	
3 	 	57 	
4 	 	33 	
5 	 	29 	
6 	 	19 	
7 	 	6 	
8 	 	6 	
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:1986 Grands Prix
Category:Mexican Grand Prix