HistoryData
general1988

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

May 15, 1988

Ayrton Senna's late crash while leading handed Alain Prost his 30th Formula One victory and fourth Monaco win in the 1988 championship.

Quick Facts

Year
1988
Category
general

Key Facts

Race laps
78 laps
Prost career wins
30th win
Prost Monaco wins
4th and final
McLaren team wins
58th win
McLaren podiums
150th podium
Championship round
3rd race of 1988 season

By the Numbers

78laps
Race laps
30
Prost career wins
4
Prost Monaco wins
58
McLaren team wins

Location

Map of Monte Carlo, MonacoMap of Monte Carlo, MonacoMonte Carlo, Monaco

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Ayrton Senna had built a commanding lead during the 78-lap race at Circuit de Monaco, appearing set for a dominant victory for the McLaren-Honda team in the third round of the 1988 Formula One World Championship.

Event

Late in the race, Senna crashed out while comfortably leading, handing the victory to his French teammate Alain Prost. Gerhard Berger finished second in a Ferrari, with Michele Alboreto third, giving Ferrari a double podium behind the winning McLaren.

Consequence

Prost claimed his 30th career win and fourth Monaco victory, while McLaren recorded their 58th win and 150th podium. The Honda engine scored its 30th win. Senna's crash denied him what had seemed a certain victory in a race he would go on to dominate throughout his career.

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-monaco-grand-prix-formula-one-motor-race-held-in-1988-1988