Niki Lauda finally won his home Grand Prix in 1984, nursing a troubled gearbox to victory at the Österreichring. Nelson Piquet finished second and Michele Alboreto third, while Alain Prost’s retirement handed Niki Lauda the championship lead.
Race Guide
Season: 1984 F1 World Championship
Race date: 19 August 1984
Race start time: 14:30 local time (UTC+02:00)
Circuit: Österreichring
Laps: 51 laps
Circuit length: 5.942 km
1983 winner: Alain Prost
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Nelson Piquet | Brabham |
| Pole time | 1:26.173 | |
| Fastest lap | Niki Lauda | McLaren |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:32.882 on lap 23 | |
| First | Niki Lauda | McLaren |
| Second | Nelson Piquet | Brabham |
| Third | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 17 August 1984 | Practice 1 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 17 August 1984 | Qualifying 1 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 18 August 1984 | Practice 2 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 18 August 1984 | Qualifying 2 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 19 August 1984 | Warm-up | 10:30–11:00 |
| 19 August 1984 | Race | 14:30 |
All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.
Championship background
Alain Prost arrived at round 12 leading the 1984 F1 World Championship on 44.5 points, with Niki Lauda on 39. McLaren – TAG headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 83.5 points.
Race entries
Gerhard Berger made his Formula 1 debut in a second ATS, joining Niki Lauda and Jo Gartner as the Austrian drivers in the field. Stefan Johansson continued to replace Brundle at Tyrrell, while Toleman again entered Ayrton Senna alone. Neither Tyrrell qualified, producing the first all-turbo starting grid.
Friday Free Practice
Friday morning brought several reminders of the circuit’s demands. Fabi spun into the barriers at the Rindt Curve, Bellof went off after an engine failure, and de Elio de Angelis left the track in the spare Lotus after his race car had already failed. The high-speed corners required confidence in both aerodynamic balance and engine response.
Friday Qualifying
Alain Prost headed Friday qualifying from Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet. Fabi shared the spare Brabham after his accident, limiting Nelson Piquet’s opportunity for a late response. Gerhard Berger set a time that would be sufficient for his debut start.
Friday Qualifying Classification
1984 Austrian Grand Prix first qualifying session, 17 August 1984
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:26.203 | — |
| 2 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:26.715 | — |
| 3 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:26.928 | — |
| 4 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:27.531 | — |
| 5 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:27.748 | — |
| 6 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:27.928 | — |
| 7 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:28.430 | — |
| 8 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:28.760 | — |
| 9 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:29.228 | — |
| 10 | 19 | Ayrton Senna | Toleman | 1:29.463 | — |
| 11 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:29.694 | — |
| 12 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 1:29.893 | — |
| 13 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:30.966 | — |
| 14 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:31.003 | — |
| 15 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:31.250 | — |
| 16 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:31.255 | — |
| 17 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:31.701 | — |
| 18 | 31 | Gerhard Berger | ATS | 1:31.904 | — |
| 19 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | 1:32.582 | — |
| 20 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:33.172 | — |
| 21 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:33.276 | — |
| 22 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:34.495 | — |
| 23 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 1:34.622 | — |
| 24 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 1:35.212 | — |
| 25 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:36.771 | — |
| 26 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 1:00:43.900 | — |
Saturday Free Practice
Saturday was clear and cool, but mechanical trouble continued to interrupt preparation. Gerhard Berger’s gearbox problem prevented him from taking part in final qualifying, while Piercarlo Ghinzani also lost the afternoon to car trouble. Ferrari continued comparing different suspension and engine arrangements as it searched for a more consistent performance.
Saturday Qualifying
Nelson Piquet took pole on Saturday with 1:26.173, narrowly beating Alain Prost’s Friday best. De Elio de Angelis qualified third and Niki Lauda fourth. Both Tyrrells missed the grid; Bellof’s car was also excluded after being found underweight during the session.
Saturday Qualifying Classification
1984 Austrian Grand Prix second qualifying session, 18 August 1984
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:26.173 | — |
| 2 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:26.318 | — |
| 3 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:26.748 | — |
| 4 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:27.098 | — |
| 5 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:27.123 | — |
| 6 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 1:27.201 | — |
| 7 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:27.312 | — |
| 8 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:27.558 | — |
| 9 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:29.012 | — |
| 10 | 19 | Ayrton Senna | Toleman | 1:29.200 | — |
| 11 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:30.000 | — |
| 12 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:30.736 | — |
| 13 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:30.853 | — |
| 14 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:31.045 | — |
| 15 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:31.189 | — |
| 16 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:31.313 | — |
| 17 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:31.498 | — |
| 18 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:31.588 | — |
| 19 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:31.655 | — |
| 20 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | 1:32.270 | — |
| 21 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 1:33.019 | — |
| 22 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 1:34.128 | — |
| 23 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 1:35.605 | — |
| 24 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:44.304 | — |
Combined Qualifying Classification
Each driver’s faster time from the two qualifying sessions determined the overall order.
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Friday Time | Saturday Time | Best Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:26.928 | 1:26.173 | 1:26.173 | — |
| 2 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:26.203 | 1:27.098 | 1:26.203 | — |
| 3 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:27.531 | 1:26.318 | 1:26.318 | — |
| 4 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:26.715 | 1:27.312 | 1:26.715 | — |
| 5 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:27.748 | 1:26.748 | 1:26.748 | — |
| 6 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:27.928 | 1:27.123 | 1:27.123 | — |
| 7 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 1:29.893 | 1:27.201 | 1:27.201 | — |
| 8 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:28.430 | 1:27.558 | 1:27.558 | — |
| 9 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:28.760 | 1:29.012 | 1:28.760 | — |
| 10 | 19 | Ayrton Senna | Toleman | 1:29.463 | 1:29.200 | 1:29.200 | — |
| 11 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:29.228 | 1:31.498 | 1:29.228 | — |
| 12 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:29.694 | 1:30.000 | 1:29.694 | — |
| 13 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:30.966 | 1:30.736 | 1:30.736 | — |
| 14 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:33.276 | 1:30.853 | 1:30.853 | — |
| 15 | 28 | René Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:31.003 | 1:31.313 | 1:31.003 | — |
| 16 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:31.250 | 1:31.045 | 1:31.045 | — |
| 17 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:31.255 | 1:31.189 | 1:31.189 | — |
| 18 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:36.771 | 1:31.588 | 1:31.588 | — |
| 19 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:31.701 | 1:31.655 | 1:31.655 | — |
| 20 | 31 | Gerhard Berger | ATS | 1:31.904 | No time | 1:31.904 | — |
| 21 | 25 | François Hesnault | Ligier | 1:32.582 | 1:32.270 | 1:32.270 | — |
| 22 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 1:35.212 | 1:33.019 | 1:33.019 | — |
| 23 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:33.172 | No time | 1:33.172 | — |
| 24 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 1:34.622 | 1:34.128 | 1:34.128 | — |
| 25 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:34.495 | 1:44.304 | 1:34.495 | — |
| 26 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 1:00:43.900 | 1:35.605 | 1:35.605 | — |
| 27 | 3 | Stefan Johansson | Tyrrell | 1:37.292 | 1:36.282 | — | — |
| 28 | 4 | Stefan Bellof | Tyrrell | 1:37.535 | 1:37.893 | — | — |
Sunday warm-up
Alain Prost’s engine failed in the Sunday warm-up, requiring a replacement before the race. Manfred Winkelhock also needed a gearbox change. With several hours available before the start, the teams could complete the repairs, but McLaren’s title contender had another disrupted morning at a crucial stage of the season.
Warm-up Classification
1984 Austrian Grand Prix Warm-up, 19 August 1984
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:31.561 | — |
| 2 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | +0.306s | — |
| 3 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | +0.633s | — |
| 4 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | +1.050s | — |
| 5 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | +1.340s | — |
| 6 | 19 | Ayrton Senna | Toleman | +1.416s | — |
| 7 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | +1.770s | — |
| 8 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | +3.013s | — |
| 9 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | +3.133s | — |
| 10 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | +3.536s | — |
| 11 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | +3.593s | — |
| 12 | 31 | Gerhard Berger | ATS | +3.796s | — |
| 13 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | +3.800s | — |
| 14 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | +4.370s | — |
| 15 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | +4.486s | — |
| 16 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | +4.490s | — |
| 17 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | +4.566s | — |
| 18 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | +4.643s | — |
| 19 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | +5.380s | — |
| 20 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | +5.396s | — |
| 21 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | +5.996s | — |
| 22 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | +7.090s | — |
| 23 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | +7.653s | — |
| 24 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | +7.843s | — |
| 25 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | +53.186s | — |
What happened in the 1984 Austrian Grand Prix?
Confusion with the starting lights forced a restart. Nelson Piquet led the race that followed, with Alain Prost close behind and Niki Lauda in pursuit. Oil from de Elio de Angelis’s failing engine then caught Alain Prost out, sending the McLaren into the barriers and ending his afternoon.
Niki Lauda moved into second and passed Nelson Piquet as the Brabham’s tyres deteriorated. Gear-selection trouble then threatened the Austrian’s lead, but he adapted his driving to the remaining usable ratios and kept the car moving. Nelson Piquet could not take advantage.
Niki Lauda won by 23 seconds from Nelson Piquet, with Michele Alboreto third. Fabi, Thierry Boutsen and Marc Surer completed the points. The home victory was also a major championship turning point, putting Niki Lauda four and a half points ahead of Alain Prost.
After the race, Niki Lauda headed the drivers’ standings with 48 points, followed by Alain Prost on 44.5. McLaren – TAG led the constructors’ table on 92.5, with Ferrari on 40.5.
1984 Austrian Grand Prix race results
The 1984 Austrian Grand Prix was held on 19 August 1984, with a scheduled start of 14:30 local time.
1984 Austrian Grand Prix Fastest Laps
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 23 | 1:32.882 |
| 2 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 17 | 1:33.056 |
| 3 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 12 | 1:33.074 |
| 4 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 22 | 1:33.081 |
| 5 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 11 | 1:33.227 |
| 6 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 38 | 1:34.342 |
| 7 | 19 | Ayrton Senna | Toleman | 6 | 1:34.348 |
| 8 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 27 | 1:34.401 |
| 9 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 7 | 1:34.469 |
| 10 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 47 | 1:34.821 |
| 11 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 40 | 1:35.209 |
| 12 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 11 | 1:35.240 |
| 13 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 20 | 1:35.659 |
| 14 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 35 | 1:35.846 |
| 15 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 4 | 1:35.944 |
| 16 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 40 | 1:36.105 |
| 17 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 16 | 1:36.197 |
| 18 | 31 | Gerhard Berger | ATS | 15 | 1:36.914 |
| 19 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 5 | 1:36.976 |
| 20 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 38 | 1:37.626 |
| 21 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | 4 | 1:37.906 |
| 22 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 17 | 1:39.245 |
| 23 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 3 | 1:39.297 |
| 24 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 2 | 1:40.359 |
| 25 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 13 | 1:41.317 |
Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.
1984 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings
Championship standings after the 1984 Austrian Grand Prix.
1984 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
1984 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLaren – TAG | 92.5 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 40.5 |
| 3 | Lotus – Renault | 38 |
| 4 | Renault | 33 |
| 5 | Brabham – BMW | 31 |
| 6 | Williams – Honda | 25.5 |
| 7 | Toleman – Hart | 9 |
| 8 | Alfa Romeo | 6 |
| 9 | Ligier – Renault | 3 |
| 10 | Arrows – Ford | 3 |
| 11 | Arrows – BMW | 3 |
| 12 | Osella – Alfa Romeo | 2 |
| — | Spirit – Hart | 0 |
| — | ATS – BMW | 0 |
| — | RAM – Hart | 0 |
| — | Tyrrell – Ford | 0 |
Drivers counted their best eleven results; constructors counted every round. The standings here show the position after this race. These results and points include Tyrrell’s retrospective exclusion from the entire season. Contemporary standings before the redistribution differ.
1984 Formula 1 Race Calendar
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