HistoryData
general1990

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

July 15, 1990

Alain Prost's victory gave him the 1990 Drivers' Championship lead, while Ricardo Patrese became the first F1 driver to start 200 Grands Prix.

Quick Facts

Year
1990
Category
general

Key Facts

Race winner
Alain Prost (Ferrari)
Pole position
Nigel Mansell
Race distance
305.9 km over 64 laps
Circuit length
4.78 km
Patrese milestone
First F1 driver to compete in 200 Grands Prix
Championship leader post-race
Prost, 2 points ahead of Senna

By the Numbers

305.9
Race distance
4.78km
Circuit length
1
Patrese milestone
2
Championship leader post-race

Location

Map of Silverstone, United KingdomMap of Silverstone, United KingdomSilverstone, United Kingdom

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Nigel Mansell, the local favourite, took pole position and led the race at Silverstone, the fastest circuit on the F1 calendar in 1990. With nine laps remaining, however, his Williams-style challenge ended when his gearbox failed, leaving the race open for a Ferrari victory.

Event

The 1990 British Grand Prix, the eighth round of the Formula One World Championship, was held on 15 July at Silverstone over 64 laps. Alain Prost capitalised on Mansell's retirement to win ahead of Thierry Boutsen's Williams-Renault and Ayrton Senna's McLaren-Honda. Ricardo Patrese also made history by becoming the first driver to start 200 Formula One Grands Prix.

Consequence

Prost's third consecutive victory and fourth of the season moved him to the top of the Drivers' Championship standings, two points clear of Senna. The result significantly shifted the title fight's momentum toward Prost in what would become a fiercely contested 1990 season.

Result

Alain Prost (Ferrari)
1st: Prost, 2nd: Boutsen, 3rd: Senna
Thierry Boutsen (Williams-Renault)

at Silverstone Circuit, United Kingdom

Ricardo Patrese became the first F1 driver to compete in 200 Grands Prix

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-british-grand-prix-formula-one-motor-race-held-in-199-1990