HistoryData
general1988

1988 Hungarian Grand Prix — Formula One motor race held in 1988

August 7, 1988

Senna's sixth win of 1988 drew him level on points with Prost, shaping the title battle at the season's midpoint.

Quick Facts

Year
1988
Category
general

Key Facts

Race length
76 laps
Winner
Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Honda)
Senna wins in 1988
6
Race in championship
10th of the 1988 season
Runner-up
Alain Prost (McLaren-Honda)
Third place
Thierry Boutsen (Benetton-Ford)

By the Numbers

76
Race length
6
Senna wins in 1988
10
Race in championship

Location

Map of Mogyoród, HungaryMap of Mogyoród, HungaryMogyoród, Hungary

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

By mid-season 1988, McLaren-Honda had established dominance in Formula One, with teammates Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost competing closely for the Drivers' Championship. Senna entered the Hungarian Grand Prix trailing Prost in points, requiring a strong result to close the gap.

Event

On 7 August 1988, Senna started from pole position at the Hungaroring and led the 76-lap race to victory. Prost finished second and Boutsen took third, making it a McLaren one-two and the tenth round of the championship.

Consequence

Senna's victory, his sixth of the season, drew him level on points with Prost at the top of the Drivers' Championship, setting up a tight contest for the title in the remaining races of 1988.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 19881988198519861987198919901991Athletics at the 1988 Summer Olympics — Track and field athletics events during the 1988 Summer OlympicsBasketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics — international basketball tournament1988 AFC Asian Cup — international football competition1988 African Cup of Nations — football tournamentFencing at the 1988 Summer Olympics1988 Summer Olympics medal table — distribution of medals at the 1988 Summer Olympics1988 Summer Olympics — Games of the XXIV Olympiad, in Seoul, South Korea1988 Formula One World Championship — sports season1988-hungarian-grand-prix-formula-one-motor-race-held-in-1-1988