1985 Monaco Grand Prix

The **1985 Monaco Grand Prix**was a Formula One motor race held at Monaco on 19th May 1985. It was the third race in both the 1985 Drivers' Championship and the 1985 Constructors' Championship.

## Background

Heading into the race Vivaldo Margheriti held a four point lead in the Drivers' Championship over McLaren's Chuck Dingley and Stefan Wolff. McLaren held a two point lead over Williams in the Constructors' Championship.

## Qualifying

Chuck Dingley continued his strong form around the principality by taking pole position, ahead of Ferrari's Fabiano Margheriti and championship leader Vivaldo Margheriti. 1984 champion Mick Ashcroft struggled thoughout the session and qualified in 12th.

## Race Summary

The race started cleanly, with Dingley maintaining the lead ahead of Fabiano Margheriti and Vivaldo Margheriti. Wolff passed Danilo Koren for fifth at the first corner after the Williams driver bogged down at the start.

The front of the pack was closely matched in pace for several laps until Dingley and Fabiano Margheriti started to pull away. Despite being top throughout most of practice, Vivaldo Margheriti struggled to find race pace, with Lotus' Jack Wilson sticking closely to Vivaldo in an attempt to pass or force him into a mistake.

Steffen van Reynders was battling with James McLean when they collided on the entry to the first corner, resulting in both retiring from the race. Reynders appeared to miss the braking zone as he approached the corner, although the stewards declared it a racing incident.

On lap 11, Lotus' Bruce Kerrigan span at the exit of the first swimming pool chicane and collided with Ligier's Skylar West. Although Kerrigan's car suffered some aero damage in the incident he continued into the race, whilst West was forced to retire with terminal suspension damage.

The race leaders pitted around lap 13. Dingley held a lead of around five seconds to Fabiano Margheriti as he pitted, with Margheriti pitting a lap later. As he entered the pits, Fabiano missed his pit box and was forced to reverse, costing him vital seconds as well as two positions to Vivaldo Margheriti and Jack Wilson. Wilson, who was clearly faster than the more experienced Williams driver, continued to apply pressure to Vivaldo and the pair came into contact on lap 20 as they entered the chicane. Both drivers continued but this allowed Fabiano Margheriti to gain on them. Two laps later they attempted to lap Ferrari's Mick Ashcroft at the hairpin but Vivaldo and Wilson came into contact again, allowing Fabiano Margheriti to slip past into second. Chuck Dingley went on to take his fourth win in the Principality, winning by almost 20 seconds ahead of Fabiano Margheriti. Vivaldo Margheriti finished less than half a second ahead of Jack Wilson, with Stefan Wolff just behind.

## Post-Race

In the post-race press conference, Mick Ashcroft announced that he had been diagnosed with Mesothelioma and that this would be his final race in Formula One, stating:

"*Today was my last race in Formula One. Following the Brazilian Grand Prix, I was experiencing serious difficulty breathing, and rushed to hospital where I was diagnosed with Mesothelioma.*

*Thanks to the great medical oversight of all drivers in modern Grand Prix racing, it has been caught early enough that it can be treated. However, my lung capacity will soon be reduced to the point where I will simply be incapable of completing a race.*

*I would like to simultaneously thank and apologise to the great team at Maranello. Your tireless efforts over the years are greatly appreciated and I regret that our relationship has to end under these circumstances.*"

## Championship Standings

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