GP: Japan
Date: 22 October 1989
Winner: Alessandro Nannini - Benetton-Ford Cosworth
We're talking about a truly controversial Grand Prix.
Ayrton Senna chased down his McLaren team-mate Alain Prost, the only two drivers in the title fight.
They collided going into the final chicane.
Prost walked back to the pits. Senna was push-started by the marshals, rejoined the track by cutting the chicane, pitted to replace his damaged front wing before fighting his way through the field to win.
All for nothing, as after the race, the Brazilian was disqualified for the push start and for cutting the chicane.
Prost was duly crowned champion and Senna was furious, convinced he was the victim of a French conspiracy instigated by Alain and FIA President Jean-Marie Balestre.
This all completely overshadowed Alessandro Nannini's one and only F1 win.
Born in Sienna on July 7 1959, he first raced in F1 in 1986 with Minardi before joining Benetton. Quick and extrovert, at the peak of his career in 1990, he famously turned down the offer of a Ferrari drive.
Shortly after, on 12 October, his right forearm was severed in a helicopter crash. The limb was reattached and despite limited mobility, he returned to racing in the DTM, his irresistible charm still intact.
In 2025 Pirelli will hit the 500 F1® Grands Prix mark during the season.
Legacy of Speed series looks back at the fifty most significant Grands Prix from Pirelli's time on the F1 World Championship trail.
