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The Controversial Chicane Penalty That Caused Senna His Victory In 1989.
Netflix’s miniseries Senna shows the life and challenges of legendary Formula One icon Ayrton Senna, one of which was his controversial disqualification from a 1989 race. One of the most pivotal moments in Senna’s career is shown in the fourth episode of the series, which features his infamous race against his Formula One rival Alain Prost in the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix.
Senna didn’t just get into a crash with Prost during this climactic race. The latter was declared the champion despite Senna finishing in first place. This divisive decision was due to an alleged penalty in which Senna “cut” the chicane following the crash. As depicted in Senna, this loss at the Japanese Grand Prix was one of many obstacles in Senna’s illustrious career, and the controversy continues to be discussed today.
Alain Prost & Ayrton Senna’s Crash In 1989 Explained
Senna’s Crash Set Up His Disqualification From The Race.
Senna depicts the longtime rivalry between Senna and Prost, and the series shows how it came to a head during the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix. During the 40th lap of the race, after Prost had the lead, Senna had finally caught up with his opponent. Though Prost had gotten ahead of Senna once more, the two competitors were neck and neck for five laps.
Everything changed during the 47th lap of the race. At that point, Senna tried to overtake his rival at the chicane before reaching the entrance to the pit lane. However, Prost cut him off in the chicane and collided with Senna’s car, causing them both to crash and sending them off the track. This accident set the stage for one of the most contested disqualifications in the history of Formula One racing.
How Senna Broke The Chicane Penalty By Getting Back Into The Race
The Way Senna Re-Entered the Race Culminated In His Loss
Though he had crashed into Prost in the Grand Prix, Senna quickly rejoined the race while Prost climbed out of his vehicle, thinking the race was over. Even after his car suffered a broken front wing, Senna eventually got it repaired during the race and finished in first place. However, the fact that Senna didn’t return to the exact spot on the track he had left following the crash led to his disqualification.
As described on Senna.com, Article 56 of the 1989 Formula One Disciplinary Code states that a car that gets stuck on the track can be removed by the marshals. This rule also allows for a driver to return to the race if they can get their car running again. Senna “cutting off” the chicane was considered an illegal move in this incident, even though he would have had to drive the wrong way to avoid doing this.
Senna Was Disqualified & Lost The Championship Because Of The Penalty
Senna Was More Than Just Disqualified After The Race Due To His Penalty.
In the end, Prost was declared the victor of the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix. But the battle was far from over for Senna. Following the race, he accused FISA president Jean-Marie Balestre of favoring Prost in the competition by disqualifying him, releasing this statement archived in Motor Sports Magazine:
“It was clear that political and economic pressure groups manipulated behind the scenes to make Prost world champion.”
In the end, Senna wasn’t just disqualified from the race for the penalty. Senna was also hit with a $100,000 fine. On top of that, according to United Press International, Senna was suspended from racing for six months for “dangerous driving.” Somehow, the loss was made worse for Senna after Nelson Piquet convinced his fellow drivers at the 1990 Driver’s Briefing that the penalty was uncalled for, as Senna had already contested the verdict and was still disqualified. Last Word On Sports claims Senna stormed out of the room after this moment.
Netflix’s Senna presents Ayrton’s disqualification following the crash as one of many ways that the odds were deliberately stacked against him in the world of Formula One racing. As shown in the series, many people still debate whether Balestre penalized Senna to allow Prost to win the race. While Ayrton faced more than his fair share of obstacles, Senna shows how he overcame these challenges and became one of the most celebrated and influential Formula One racers ever.
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