1987 Mexican Grand Prix

The 1987 Mexican Grand Prix, otherwise known as the XI Gran Premio de Mexico, was the fourteenth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on the 18 October 1987.'Mexican GP, 1987', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2015), http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr450.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019) The race would be won in rather confusing circumstances by Nigel Mansell, after a heavy accident for Derek Warwick mid-race effectively split the race into two heats.
Mansell started the weekend in a position of strength, claiming a twelfth pole position of the season for . Gerhard Berger was his closest challenger during qualifying, claiming second, while Mansell's Championship leading teammate Nelson Piquet sat in third, with a chance of claiming the title in Mexico.
A poor getaway for Mansell would see the Brit drop to fifth at the start, with Berger streaking into the lead ahead of Thierry Boutsen. Piquet and Alain Prost also got ahead of the #5 Williams-Honda, although those two subsequently removed themselves from the lead pack when they tangled at the first corner.
Boutsen duly moved into the lead early on the second lap, although both himself and Berger would have enough pace to ease ahead of Mansell. That was, until Boutsen's bid for victory was crippled by a misfire, while Berger's race was curtailed by an engine failure.
Mansell was thus left with a fair lead over Ayrton Senna and Riccardo Patrese, while Piquet had recovered from his first corner tangle to claim fourth. However, as the race ticked towards half-distance red flags blossomed around the circuit, with a cloud of dust and debris erupting at the Parabolica.
The source of the cloud was Warwick's , which had suffered a suspension failure mid-corner and duly flung itself into the barriers. Warwick would miraculously escape without major injury, although with bits of his destroyed car left in the middle of the circuit, the race had to be stopped.
It was decided to restart the race from a standing start, meaning the race would effectively become a battle of two heats, with the final order resolved on aggregate times. At the restart it was Piquet who jumped into the lead, with Mansell tucking in right behind to prevent the Brazilian from escaping.
Indeed, the two Williams-Hondas spent the rest of the race virtually nose-to-tail, meaning Mansell ultimately claimed victory despite trailing Piquet at the chequered flag. Senna was set for second but spun out of the race late on, meaning Patrese was promoted onto the podium.
==Background==
Fourth place for Nelson Piquet in Spain had meant that his lead at the top of the Championship had remained at eighteen points, although the Brazilian had reached his limit of eleven race scores. That meant that he would only be able to improve his tally with three better results than he had achieved previously, effectively reducing the number of points he could score. Behind, his nearest challenger was Nigel Mansell, who could still claim a full 27 points from the three remaining races, with the Brit a point ahead of Ayrton Senna upon arrival in Mexico.
The Constructors' Championship, meanwhile, was all over as had left Spain with 122 points and the Championship crown. Indeed, their closest challengers were some 50 points behind, and with only 45 available at the remaining races there was no chance of them catching the Anglo-Japanese squad. Instead, McLaren-TAG were set to duel with to claim second, although that battle may well have been settled as the former had opened out a fifteen point advantage at the end of the European season.
With three races to go it seemed as if the inaugural Jim Clark Trophy would be fought for through to the end of the season, with Philippe Streiff having moved within seven points of his teammate last time out. Indeed, Jonathan Palmer had retained his lead in the JCT in Spain in-spite of the fact that he had failed to score, with those two set to duel for the crown. Their employers , meanwhile, had once again eased ahead in the Colin Chapman Trophy, with emerging in second ahead of .
===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 	 	MP4/3 	 	TTE PO1 1.5 V6t 	
2 	Stefan Johansson 	Marlboro McLaren International 	 	MP4/3 	 	TTE PO1 1.5 V6t 	
3 	Jonathan Palmer 	Data General Team Tyrrell 	 	DG016 	 	DFZ 3.5 V8 	
4 	Philippe Streiff 	Data General Team Tyrrell 	 	DG016 	 	DFZ 3.5 V8 	
5 	Nigel Mansell 	Canon Williams Honda Team 	 	FW11B 	 	RA167E 1.5 V6t 	
6 	Nelson Piquet 	Canon Williams Honda Team 	 	FW11B 	 	RA167E 1.5 V6t 	
7 	Riccardo Patrese 	Motor Racing Developments Ltd. 	 	BT56 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
8 	Andrea de Cesaris 	Motor Racing Developments Ltd. 	 	BT56 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
9 	Martin Brundle 	West Zakspeed Racing 	 	871 	 	1500/4 1.5 L4t 	
10 	Christian Danner 	West Zakspeed Racing 	 	871 	 	1500/4 1.5 L4t 	
11 	Satoru Nakajima 	Camel Team Lotus Honda 	 	99T 	 	RA166E 1.5 V6t 	
12 	Ayrton Senna 	Camel Team Lotus Honda 	 	99T 	 	RA166E 1.5 V6t 	
14 	Pascal Fabre 	Team El Charro AGS 	 	JH22 	 	DFZ 3.5 V8 	
16 	Ivan Capelli 	Leyton House March Racing Team 	 	871 	 	DFZ 3.5 V8 	
17 	Derek Warwick 	USF&G Arrows Megatron 	 	A10 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
18 	Eddie Cheever 	USF&G Arrows Megatron 	 	A10 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
19 	Teo Fabi 	Benetton Formula Ltd. 	 	B187 	 	GBA 1.5 V6t 	
20 	Thierry Boutsen 	Benetton Formula Ltd. 	 	B187 	 	GBA 1.5 V6t 	
21 	Alex Caffi 	Osella Squadra Corse 	 	FA1I 	 	890T 1.5 L4t 	
23 	Adrián Campos 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M187 	 	615-90 1.5 V6t 	
24 	Alessandro Nannini 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M187 	 	615-90 1.5 V6t 	
25 	René Arnoux 	Ligier Loto 	 	JS29C 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
26 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	Ligier Loto 	 	JS29C 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
27 	Michele Alboreto 	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC 	 	F186 	 	033D 1.5 V6t 	
28 	Gerhard Berger 	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC 	 	F187 	 	033D 1.5 V6t 	
29 	Yannick Dalmas 	Larrousse & Camels F1 	 	LC87 	 	DFZ 3.5 V8 	
30 	Philippe Alliot 	Larrousse & Camels F1 	 	LC87 	 	DFZ 3.5 V8 	
31 	Emanuele Pirro 	MiddlebRidge-Trussardi 	 	B186 	 	M12/13 1.5 L4t 	
Source:'Mexico 1987: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/engages.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)
* Entries with a white background denote eligibility for the Jim Clark Trophy and Colin Chapman Trophy.
==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 	 	1:20.696 	1:18.383 	—
2 	28 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:19.992 	1:18.426 	+0.043s
3 	6 	Nelson Piquet 	 	1:20.701 	1:18.463 	+0.080s
4 	20 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	1:20.766 	1:18.691 	+0.308s
5 	1 	Alain Prost 	 	1:20.572 	1:18.742 	+0.359s
6 	19 	Teo Fabi 	 	1:22.666 	1:18.992 	+0.609s
7 	12 	Ayrton Senna 	 	1:21.361 	1:19.089 	+0.706s
8 	7 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	1:21.720 	1:19.889 	+1.506s
9 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	1:21.290 	1:19.967 	+1.584s
10 	8 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	1:22.930 	1:20.141 	+1.758s
11 	17 	Derek Warwick 	 	1:23.347 	1:21.664 	+3.281s
12 	18 	Eddie Cheever 	 	1:24.445 	1:21.705 	+3.322s
13 	9 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:25.184 	1:21.711 	+3.328s
14 	24 	Alessandro Nannini 	 	1:26.055 	1:22.035 	+3.652s
15 	2 	Stefan Johansson 	 	1:22.185 	1:22.382 	+3.802s
16 	11 	Satoru Nakajima 	 	1:23.750 	1:22.214 	+3.831s
17 	10 	Christian Danner 	 	1:23.992 	1:22.593 	+4.210s
18 	25 	René Arnoux 	 	1:24.299 	1:23.053 	+4.670s
19 	23 	Adrián Campos 	 	1:27.798 	1:23.955 	+5.572s
20 	16 	Ivan Capelli 	 	1:27.161 	1:24.404 	+6.021s
21 	26 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	1:27.059 	1:24.553 	+6.170s
22 	3 	Jonathan Palmer 	 	1:27.306 	1:24.723 	+6.340s
23 	29 	Yannick Dalmas 	 	1:28.156 	1:24.745 	+6.362s
24 	30 	Philippe Alliot 	 	1:27.184 	1:25.096 	+6.713s
25 	4 	Philippe Streiff 	 	1:27.011 	1:26.305 	+7.922s
26 	21 	Alex Caffi 	 	1:27.670 	1:30.010 	+9.287s
DNQ 	14 	Pascal Fabre 	 	1:30.285 	1:28.655 	+10.272s
WD* 	31 	Emanuele Pirro 	 	Withdrawn 	Withdrawn 	Withdrawn
Source:'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'Mexico 1987: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'Mexico 1987: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'Mexico 1987: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'Mexico 1987: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'Mexico 1987: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'Mexico 1987: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'1987 Mexican Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1987/races/524/mexico/qualifying-2.html, (Accessed 06/04/2019)'Mexico 1987: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)
* A white background indicates an entrant in the Jim Clark Trophy.
*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.
** Pirro's entry was withdrawn after Trussardi's registration as an entrant was rejected.
===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 	 	63 	1:26:24.207 	1 	9
2 	6 	Nelson Piquet 	 	63 	+26.176s 	3 	6
3 	7 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	63 	+1:26.879 	8 	4
4 	18 	Eddie Cheever 	 	63 	+1:41.352 	12 	3
5 	19 	Teo Fabi 	 	61 	+2 Laps 	6 	2
6 (1) 	30 	Philippe Alliot 	 	60 	+3 Laps 	24 	1
7 (2) 	3 	Jonathan Palmer 	 	60 	+3 Laps 	22 	
8 (3) 	4 	Philippe Streiff 	 	60 	+3 Laps 	25 	
9 (4) 	29 	Yannick Dalmas 	 	59 	+4 Laps 	23 	
Ret 	12 	Ayrton Senna 	 	54 	Clutch 	7 	
Ret 	16 	Ivan Capelli 	 	51 	Water leak 	20 	
Ret 	21 	Alex Caffi 	 	50 	Engine 	26 	
Ret 	26 	Piercarlo Ghinzani 	 	43 	Water leak 	21 	
Ret 	23 	Adrián Campos 	 	32 	Transmission 	19 	
Ret 	25 	René Arnoux 	 	29 	Overheating 	18 	
Ret 	17 	Derek Warwick 	 	26 	Accident 	11 	
Ret 	8 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	22 	Accident 	10 	
Ret 	28 	Gerhard Berger 	 	20 	Turbo 	2 	
Ret 	20 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	15 	Electrical 	4 	
Ret 	24 	Alessandro Nannini 	 	13 	Turbo 	14 	
Ret 	27 	Michele Alboreto 	 	12 	Engine 	9 	
Ret 	9 	Martin Brundle 	 	3 	Turbo 	13 	
Ret 	2 	Stefan Johansson 	 	1 	Collision 	15 	
Ret 	11 	Satoru Nakajima 	 	1 	Collision 	16 	
Ret 	10 	Christian Danner 	 	1 	Collision 	17 	
Ret 	1 	Alain Prost 	 	0 	Collision 	5 	
DNQ 	14 	Pascal Fabre 	 	 	 	 	
WD 	31 	Emanuele Pirro 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Mexico 1987: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)	Source:'Mexico 1987: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique/classement.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)
* A white background indicates an entrant in the Jim Clark Trophy with numbers in brackets indicating their finishing position in that class.
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* 250th entry for a car using #25 as its race number.'1987 Mexican GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2015), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1987&gp=Mexican%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 06/04/2019)
* Eddie Cheever started his 100th Grand Prix.'14. Mexico 1987', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1987/mexique.aspx, (Accessed 06/04/2019)
* 50th start for Gerhard Berger.
* 50th entry for Philippe Alliot.
* Thirteenth career victory for Nigel Mansell.
* claimed their 40th win as a constructor.
** secured their 27th win as an engine supplier.
* Nelson Piquet claimed his 50th podium finish.
** Piquet also recorded his 23rd and final fastest lap.
* Williams claimed their 40th fastest lap as a constructor.
==Standings==
Victory for Nigel Mansell meant that the Brit still had a slim hope of taking the title, closing to within twelve points of teammate Nelson Piquet. Yet, while Piquet was now only able to score eight points at the final two rounds, while Mansell could claim eighteen, the Brazilian could still win the title if Mansell failed to finish on the podium in Japan. Behind, Ayrton Senna was out of the fight in third, and was instead in a fight with Alain Prost to finish there.
 had already won the Constructors' Championship in Spain, meaning all of the attention was on the fight for second. Yet, there had been no movement in that fight either, as both and had failed to score at all in Mexico. That meant that the Anglo-German alliance could secure the runner-up spot in Japan, as long as Lotus-Honda finished behind them.
 
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Nelson Piquet 	73 (76) 	
2 	Nigel Mansell 	61 	
3 	Ayrton Senna 	51 	
4 	Alain Prost 	46 	
5 	Stefan Johansson 	26 	
6 	Gerhard Berger 	18 	
7 	Teo Fabi 	12 	
8 	Thierry Boutsen 	10 	
9 	Michele Alboreto 	8 	
10 	Eddie Cheever 	8 	1
11 	Riccardo Patrese 	6 	6
12 	Satoru Nakajima 	6 	2
13 	Andrea de Cesaris 	4 	1
14 	Philippe Streiff 	4 	1
15 	Jonathan Palmer 	4 	1
16 	Derek Warwick 	3 	1
17 	Philippe Alliot 	3 	1
18 	Martin Brundle 	2 	2
19 	René Arnoux 	1 	
20 	Ivan Capelli 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	137 	
2 	 	72 	
3 	 	57 	
4 	 	26 	
5 	 	22 	
6 	 	11 	1
7 	 	10 	1
8 	 	8 	2
9 	 	3 	1
10 	 	2 	1
11 	 	1 	
12 	 	1 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
===Jim Clark/Colin Chapman Trophy===
Jonathan Palmer continued to lead the Jim Clark Trophy with two races to go, and could win the title in Japan if he finished ahead of Philippe Streiff. Indeed, the Frenchman was the only man capable of defeating his teammate, and would have to claim at least one point, regardless of Palmer's result, to keep the fight alive. , meanwhile, had long since won the Colin Chapman Trophy, as climbed into second in Mexico.
 
Jim Clark Trophy	Jim Clark Trophy	Jim Clark Trophy	Jim Clark Trophy
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Jonathan Palmer 	77 	
2 	Philippe Streiff	68 	
3 	Philippe Alliot 	43 	2
4 	Ivan Capelli 	38 	1
5 	Pascal Fabre 	35 	1
Colin Chapman Trophy	Colin Chapman Trophy	Colin Chapman Trophy	Colin Chapman Trophy
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	145 	
2 	 	43 	2
3 	 	38 	1
4 	 	35 	1
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
* 
References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1987 Grands Prix
Category:Mexican Grand Prix