1993 European Grand Prix

The XXXVIII Sega European Grand Prix, otherwise known as the 1993 European Grand Prix, was the third round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Donington Park circuit in Leicestershire, UK, on the 11 April 1993.'European GP, 1993', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2019), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr535.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019) The race would see Ayrton Senna claim what was is widely regarded as his greatest victory, battling torrential rain and changeable conditions.
The trip to Donington Park would mark the return of the European Grand Prix to the F1 calendar, which had last been staged at Brands Hatch in 1985. The concept returned after the proposed Asian Grand Prix at Autopolis failed to materialise, resulting in an April trip to the centre of the United Kingdom.
Qualifying would see Alain Prost duel for pole position with teammate Damon Hill, with the former emerging ahead. Michael Schumacher was best of the rest in his updated , with Senna starting in fourth for .
The race itself would be heralded by heavy rain, with the entire field starting on wet tyres. Prost duly eased away to claim an early lead ahead of Hill, while Schumacher was so focused on keeping Senna at bay into the first corner that he allowed the new of Karl Wendlinger to slither its way through to third.
That sparked what would go down in history as one of the greatest opening laps in F1 history, with Senna sweeping past Schumacher through Redgate, before slithering ahead of Wendlinger at the Craner Curves. The Brazilian then dived past Hill as they hit the brakes for Coppice Corner, before reeling in Prost down the back straight to lunge past the #2 Williams into the Melbourne Hairpin.
With that Senna was away, as behind Wendlinger and Senna's teammate Michael Andretti smashed into one-another. That promoted Rubens Barrichello into the top four, the Brazilian having passed Schumacher on the opening lap, while Prost and Hill retained second and third.
Once the rain passed the circuit quickly began to dry, with the first stops for slicks coming on lap ten, with Prost briefly leading when Senna made his stop. However, moments after the Frenchman made his stop the rain would return, prompting him to abandon second in favour of another set of wets.
Hill followed his teammate in, while Senna held out for four laps before he made his stop, only for the rain to stop again and the lead trio to stop for slicks. This time, however, Senna's pitcrew would cost the Brazilian twenty seconds, handing the lead back to Prost.
However, just as the field got their tyres up to temperature the rain once again began to pound the circuit, prompting Prost and Hill to sweep into the pits once more. Senna, in-contrast, would gamble on the rain passing as quickly as it had before, and hence opted not to stop to regain the lead.
That ultimately proved to be the right call, for no sooner had Prost and Hill rejoined then they were sent back into the pits for slick tyres. This time it was Prost who had the issue, losing a full lap after stalling, while Barrichello moved into second, opting to stay out on wets in hopes of seeing the rain return.
The rain did indeed return, although by that staged the young Brazilian had burned through his wets and stopped for slicks. Senna, meanwhile, would sweep into the pits, only to see that his pitcrew were not ready to make the change. He duly shot through the pitlane, recording fastest lap as he did so, only for the rain to stop midway through the next lap resulting in Senna deciding to stay out.
For one final time the rain would return, with everyone, including Senna, swapping to wets for a final fling. Senna duly powered home to claim victory, almost a full lap ahead of Hill, while Barichello was denied a brilliant third place late on by a fuel pressure issue, handing the final podium spot to Prost.
==Background==
Victory for Ayrton Senna saw the Brazilian move to his familiar lead position in the Championship, leaving his home race six clear of former leader Alain Prost. Their closest challenger after the opening two rounds was Damon Hill, with the Brit tied on six points with compatriot Mark Blundell. Michael Schumacher, meanwhile, would round out the top five, with ten drivers on the board after the opening two races.
In the Constructors Championship, meanwhile, it was a tie for the lead, with and ending the weekend level on sixteen points. Third, meanwhile, would be occupied by , already ten off the lead duo, while and completed the top five. Those two were similarly tied on four points apiece, with eight constructors having already scored in .
===Entry list===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
0 	Damon Hill 	Canon Williams Team 	 	FW15C 	 	RS5 3.5 V10 	
2 	Alain Prost 	Canon Williams Team 	 	FW15C 	 	RS5 3.5 V10 	
3 	Ukyo Katayama 	Tyrrell Racing Organisation 	 	020C 	 	OX10A 3.5 V10 	
4 	Andrea de Cesaris 	Tyrrell Racing Organisation 	 	020C 	 	OX10A 3.5 V10 	
5 	Michael Schumacher 	Camel Benetton Ford 	 	B193B 	 	HBA7 3.5 V8 	
6 	Riccardo Patrese 	Camel Benetton Ford 	 	B193B 	 	HBA7 3.5 V8 	
7 	Michael Andretti 	Marlboro McLaren 	 	MP4/8 	 	HBE7 3.5 V8 	
8 	Ayrton Senna 	Marlboro McLaren 	 	MP4/8 	 	HBE7 3.5 V8 	
9 	Derek Warwick 	Footwork Mugen Honda 	 	FA14 	 	MF351HB 3.5 V10 	
10 	Aguri Suzuki 	Footwork Mugen Honda 	 	FA14 	 	MF351HB 3.5 V10 	
11 	Alex Zanardi 	Team Lotus 	 	107B 	 	HBD6 3.5 V8 	
12 	Johnny Herbert 	Team Lotus 	 	107B 	 	HBD6 3.5 V8 	
14 	Rubens Barrichello 	Sasol Jordan 	 	193 	 	1035 3.5 V10 	
15 	Thierry Boutsen 	Sasol Jordan 	 	193 	 	1035 3.5 V10 	
19 	Philippe Alliot 	Larrousse F1 	 	LH93 	 	3512 3.5 V12 	
20 	Érik Comas 	Larrousse F1 	 	LH93 	 	3512 3.5 V12 	
21 	Michele Alboreto 	BMS Lola Scuderia Italia 	 	T93/30 	 	040 3.5 V12 	
22 	Luca Badoer 	BMS Lola Scuderia Italia 	 	T93/30 	 	040 3.5 V12 	
23 	Christian Fittipaldi 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M193 	 	HBC6 3.5 V8 	
24 	Fabrizio Barbazza 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M193 	 	HBC6 3.5 V8 	
25 	Martin Brundle 	Ligier Gitanes Blondes 	 	JS39 	 	RS5 3.5 V10 	
26 	Mark Blundell 	Ligier Gitanes Blondes 	 	JS39 	 	RS5 3.5 V10 	
27 	Jean Alesi 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F93A 	 	041 3.5 V12 	
28 	Gerhard Berger 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F93A 	 	041 3.5 V12 	
29 	Karl Wendlinger 	Team Sauber F1 	 	C12 	 	2175A 3.5 V10 	
30 	JJ Lehto 	Team Sauber F1 	 	C12 	 	2175A 3.5 V10 	
Source:'Brazil 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1993: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)
==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 	2 	Alain Prost 	 	1:24.467 	1:10.458 	—
2 	0 	Damon Hill 	 	1:24.014 	1:10.762 	+0.304s
3 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:26.264 	1:12.008 	+1.550s
4 	8 	Ayrton Senna 	 	1:23.976 	1:12.107 	+1.649s
5 	29 	Karl Wendlinger 	 	1:26.805 	1:12.738 	+2.280s
6 	7 	Michael Andretti 	 	1:26.859 	1:12.739 	+2.281s
7 	30 	JJ Lehto 	 	1:25.469 	1:12.763 	+2.305s
8 	28 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:25.971 	1:12.862 	+2.404s
9 	27 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:25.699 	1:12.980 	+2.522s
10 	6 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	1:27.273 	1:12.982 	+2.524s
11 	12 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:27.173 	1:13.328 	+2.870s
12 	14 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:26.557 	1:13.514 	+3.056s
13 	11 	Alex Zanardi 	 	1:28.782 	1:13.560 	+3.102s
14 	9 	Derek Warwick 	 	1:28.096 	1:13.664 	+3.206s
15 	19 	Philippe Alliot 	 	1:28.648 	1:13.665 	+3.207s
16 	23 	Christian Fittipaldi 	 	1:28.065 	1:13.666 	+3.208s
17 	20 	Érik Comas 	 	1:29.310 	1:13.970 	+3.512s
18 	3 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:29.851 	1:14.121 	+3.663s
19 	15 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	1:28.701 	1:14.246 	+3.788s
20 	24 	Fabrizio Barbazza 	 	1:27.275 	1:14.274 	+3.816s
21 	26 	Mark Blundell 	 	1:27.302 	1:14.301 	+3.843s
22 	25 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:26.788 	1:14.306 	+3.848s
23 	10 	Aguri Suzuki 	 	1:30.107 	1:14.927 	+4.469s
24 	21 	Michele Alboreto 	 	1:30.049 	1:15.322 	+4.864s
25 	4 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	1:29.177 	1:15.417 	+4.959s
DNQ 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	1:31.178 	1:15.641 	+5.183s
Source:'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'Europe 1993', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'Europe 1993', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'Europe 1993', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'Europe 1993', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'Europe 1993', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'Europe 1993', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 1', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'SEGA European Grand Prix - QUALIFYING 2', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1993/races/592/europe/qualifying-1.html, (Accessed 25/07/2019)'Europe 1993', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)
*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===
** Lehto would start the race from the pitlane.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	8 	Ayrton Senna 	 	76 	1:50:46.570 	4 	10
2 	0 	Damon Hill 	 	76 	+1:23.199 	2 	6
3 	2 	Alain Prost 	 	75 	+1 Lap 	1 	4
4 	12 	Johnny Herbert 	 	75 	+1 Lap 	11 	3
5 	6 	Riccardo Patrese 	 	74 	+2 Laps 	10 	2
6 	24 	Fabrizio Barbazza 	 	74 	+2 Laps 	20 	1
7 	23 	Christian Fittipaldi 	 	73 	+3 Laps 	16 	
8 	11 	Alex Zanardi 	 	72 	+4 Laps 	13 	
9 	20 	Érik Comas 	 	72 	+4 Laps 	17 	
10* 	14 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	70 	Fuel pressure 	12 	
11 	21 	Michele Alboreto 	 	70 	+6 Laps 	24 	
Ret 	9 	Derek Warwick 	 	66 	Gearbox 	14 	
Ret 	15 	Thierry Boutsen 	 	61 	Throttle 	19 	
Ret 	4 	Andrea de Cesaris 	 	55 	Gearbox 	25 	
Ret 	27 	Jean Alesi 	 	36 	Gearbox 	9 	
Ret 	10 	Aguri Suzuki 	 	29 	Gearbox 	23 	
Ret 	19 	Philippe Alliot 	 	27 	Collision 	15 	
Ret 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	22 	Spin 	3 	
Ret 	26 	Mark Blundell 	 	20 	Spin 	21 	
Ret 	28 	Gerhard Berger 	 	19 	Suspension 	8 	
Ret 	30 	JJ Lehto 	 	13 	Handling 	7 	
Ret 	3 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	11 	Clutch 	18 	
Ret 	25 	Martin Brundle 	 	7 	Spin 	22 	
Ret 	29 	Karl Wendlinger 	 	0 	Collision 	5 	
Ret 	7 	Michael Andretti 	 	0 	Collision 	6 	
DNQ 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Europe 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Europe 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Europe 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Europe 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Europe 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Europe 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Europe 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)	Source:'Europe 1993: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe/classement.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Barrichello was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* First and only World Championship Grand Prix to be staged at Donington Park.'1993 European GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1993&gp=European%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 25/07/2019)
** Also the first European Grand Prix to be held since 1985.
* Michael Schumacher entered his 25th Grand Prix.
* Ayrton Senna claimed his 38th victory.'3. Europe 1993', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1993/europe.aspx, (Accessed 25/07/2019)
** Senna also recorded his nineteenth and final fastest lap.
* claimed their 101st win as a constructor.
** Engine partners secured their 162nd win.
** This was also the 240th podium finish for a McLaren chassis.
==Standings==
Ayrton Senna would leave Donington Park with a well enhanced Championship lead after the opening three rounds, ending the weekend on 26 points. That meant that the Brazilian was twelve clear of closest challenger and arch-rival Alain Prost, meaning Senna could already afford to miss a race and still retain his lead. Elsewhere, Damon Hill had retained third ahead of Mark Blundell, while Johnny Herbert completed the top five.
In the Constructors Championship it had been another dead-heat between and , with the two British squads leaving Donington with 26 points apiece. It was the latter who led the Championship, however, having registered two wins to Williams' one, before a nineteen point gap back to the team in third. That team would be former F1 giants , who found themselves a point clear of and .
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Ayrton Senna 	26 	
2 	Alain Prost 	14 	
3 	Damon Hill 	12 	
4 	Mark Blundell 	6 	
5 	Johnny Herbert 	6 	1
6 	Michael Schumacher 	4 	1
7 	Christian Fittipaldi 	3 	
8 	JJ Lehto 	2 	
9 	Riccardo Patrese 	2 	8
10 	Alex Zanardi 	1 	
11 	Gerhard Berger 	1 	2
12 	Fabrizio Barbazza 	1 	5
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	26 	1
2 	 	26 	1
3 	 	7 	2
4 	 	6 	1
5 	 	6 	1
6 	 	4 	
7 	 	2 	
8 	 	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:European Grand Prix
Category:1993 Grands Prix
Category:Formula One races in the United Kingdom