HistoryData
general1990

1990 Brazilian Grand Prix — Formula One motor race held in 1990

March 25, 1990

Alain Prost claimed his 40th Formula One victory at the first Brazilian Grand Prix held at Interlagos since 1980.

Quick Facts

Year
1990
Category
general

Key Facts

Race winner
Alain Prost (Ferrari)
Pole position
Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Honda)
Race distance
71 laps
Prost's career win number
40th Grand Prix victory
Championship round
2nd race of 1990 season
Circuit gap
First Interlagos GP since 1980

By the Numbers

71laps
Race distance
40
Prost's career win number
2
Championship round
1,980
Circuit gap

Location

Map of São Paulo, BrazilMap of São Paulo, BrazilSão Paulo, Brazil

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

The 1990 Brazilian Grand Prix returned to the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo after a ten-year absence, made possible by the track's renovation and shortening. Ayrton Senna's status as a local hero from São Paulo further elevated the race's profile and drew attention to the venue.

Event

Held on 25 March 1990, Senna took pole position and led the 71-lap race before colliding with Satoru Nakajima's Tyrrell-Ford, handing the lead to Alain Prost. Prost controlled the remainder of the race to finish first, with Gerhard Berger second and a recovering Senna third.

Consequence

Prost's victory was his 40th in Formula One and his sixth and final win at the Brazilian Grand Prix, cementing his dominance at the event. Senna's retirement from the lead highlighted the competitive tension between the two drivers that would define the 1990 championship season.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 199019901987198819891991199219931990–91 European Cup Winners' Cup — 1990–1991 edition of the European Cup Winners' Cup1990 FIBA World Championship — 1990 edition of the FIBA World Championship1990 FIFA World Cup — 14th FIFA World Cup, held in ItalyEurovision Song Contest 1990 — 35th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest1990 Formula One World Championship — sports season1990s — decade of the Gregorian calendar (1990–1999)1990 Asian Games — 11th edition of the Asian Games1990 African Cup of Nations — football tournament1990-brazilian-grand-prix-formula-one-motor-race-held-in-1-1990