Michele Alboreto's victory at the 1985 German Grand Prix remains, as of 2026, the last Formula One win by an Italian driver for Ferrari.
Key Facts
- Race date
- 4 August 1985
- Season round
- 9th race of the 1985 F1 season
- Winner
- Michele Alboreto (Ferrari)
- Alboreto's win tally
- 5th and final Formula One victory
- First onboard camera
- Used on François Hesnault's Renault car
- Last 3-car F1 team entry
- Final race with more than two cars from one team
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The German Grand Prix returned to Nürburgring for the first time since 1976, when Niki Lauda's near-fatal accident prompted a move to Hockenheimring. A new GP-Strecke circuit section had been constructed to replace the old Südschleife and dangerous Nordschleife configurations, making the venue viable for modern Formula One again.
The race was held on 4 August 1985 at the new GP-Strecke of the Nürburgring. Michele Alboreto won for Ferrari, and the event featured the first use of an onboard camera in a Formula One race, fitted to François Hesnault's non-championship Renault. It was also the last occasion an F1 team entered more than two cars in a single race.
Alboreto's win proved to be his final Formula One victory and the last by an Italian driver for Ferrari as of 2026. The GP-Strecke did not host another Grand Prix until the 1995 European Grand Prix. Additionally, Manfred Winkelhock, who competed in this race, died the following week at Mosport, making this his final Grand Prix appearance.
Result
at Nürburgring GP-Strecke, Germany