Season 1991 in Formula 1: The Winds of Change

Season 1991 in Formula 1: The Winds of Change

The 1991 Formula 1 season undoubtedly brought with it a whiff of change. Two future legends of the sport - Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen - are making their debut in the World Car Championship. Against this background, the most elite car race said goodbye to another of its emblems - Nelson Piquet. All this is happening against the backdrop of extraordinary battles for the top of the world and a third historic title for Ayrton Senna, but all in order.

The Brazilian started 1991 again as a driver for McLaren-Honda. In a contested rivalry, Senna managed to defend his world title from the previous year and add another one to his resume. Alain Prost with Ferrari, who in past years was in the battle for the trophy, recorded a nightmare season. With the Scuderia, the Frenchman did not win a single start, this led to a rift in their relationship and the Italian team terminated their contract with Prost just before the end of the season. Thus, the three-time world champion leaves the accounts of his competitors. His place is taken by Nigel Mansell, who returns to the Williams-Renault team. The Brit won 5 starts on the calendar and finished second. Third is his teammate Ricardo Patrese.

In constructors, Ayrton Senna guaranteed the world title for McLaren-Honda.

1991 in Formula 1 remains in history as the debut for the future 7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher. The German defends the colors of Benetton-Ford, but in his first year as a Formula 1 driver he fails to shine and ends the season 14th without a single pole position won or a start. Mika Hakkinen makes a similar debut. The Finn is a driver for Lotus-Jude and in his first season in Formula 1 he finished 16th.

In the same year, the World Car Championship said goodbye to one of its legends, three-time world champion Nelson Piquet. The Brazilian ended his racing career after finishing 6th overall in 1991. 1991 is the last to date in which a driver from Brazil wins a Formula 1 start.

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