Alain Prost restored some breathing room in the championship by winning the 1984 German Grand Prix. Niki Lauda completed a McLaren one-two at Hockenheim, with Derek Warwick third after Nelson Piquet’s gearbox failure ended Brabham’s challenge.
Race Guide
Season: 1984 F1 World Championship
Race date: 5 August 1984
Race start time: 14:30 local time (UTC+02:00)
Circuit: Hockenheimring
Laps: 44 laps
Circuit length: 6.802 km
1983 winner: René Arnoux
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Alain Prost | McLaren |
| Pole time | 1:47.012 | |
| Fastest lap | Alain Prost | McLaren |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:53.538 on lap 31 | |
| First | Alain Prost | McLaren |
| Second | Niki Lauda | McLaren |
| Third | Derek Warwick | Renault |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 3 August 1984 | Practice 1 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 3 August 1984 | Qualifying 1 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 4 August 1984 | Practice 2 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 4 August 1984 | Qualifying 2 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 5 August 1984 | Warm-up | 10:30–11:00 |
| 5 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 11 leading the 1984 F1 World Championship on 35.5 points, with Niki Lauda on 33. McLaren – TAG headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 68.5 points.
Race entries
Ayrton Senna continued alone for Toleman while Johnny Cecotto recovered from his injuries. Stefan Johansson remained alongside Bellof at Tyrrell. The leading teams brought further developments, including a revised rear wing on Ayrton Senna’s new car and additional suspension experiments at Ferrari.
Friday Free Practice
Friday morning began in sunshine, with teams working on the low-drag settings required for Hockenheim’s forest straights. Ayrton Senna was again close to the leading group in his new Toleman. Williams had a much more difficult opening day, while Ferrari tried to turn its latest suspension changes into a competitive balance.
Friday Qualifying
De Elio de Angelis was fastest on Friday, with late oil from Patrick Tambay’s failed engine preventing further serious improvements. Keke Rosberg’s problems left him at the bottom of the order and especially dependent on a dry second session.
Friday Qualifying Classification
1984 German Grand Prix first qualifying session, 3 August 1984
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:48.033 | — |
| 2 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:48.576 | — |
| 3 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:48.698 | — |
| 4 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:48.912 | — |
| 5 | 19 | Ayrton Senna | Toleman | 1:49.395 | — |
| 6 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:49.439 | — |
| 7 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:49.782 | — |
| 8 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:50.338 | — |
| 9 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:50.830 | — |
| 10 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:51.414 | — |
| 11 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:51.428 | — |
| 12 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 1:51.693 | — |
| 13 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:51.697 | — |
| 14 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:52.144 | — |
| 15 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:52.769 | — |
| 16 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:52.958 | — |
| 17 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | 1:53.985 | — |
| 18 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:54.802 | — |
| 19 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:55.505 | — |
| 20 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 1:56.112 | — |
| 21 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:56.450 | — |
| 22 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 1:56.797 | — |
| 23 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 1:58.457 | — |
| 24 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:59.505 | — |
| 25 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 2:12.229 | — |
Saturday Free Practice
Rain soaked Saturday morning practice, leaving the drivers on wet tyres and offering little useful comparison with Friday’s dry running. The weather improved near the end of the session, giving those with poor first-day times hope of a recovery. Ferrari ultimately returned to its earlier suspension arrangement as the drivers preferred its behaviour.
Saturday Qualifying
The circuit dried during Saturday qualifying and Alain Prost took pole ahead of de Elio de Angelis. Derek Warwick and Patrick Tambay filled the second row, with Nelson Piquet fifth. Niki Lauda qualified seventh after a spin, while Ayrton Senna relied on his Friday time for ninth.
Saturday Qualifying Classification
1984 German Grand Prix second qualifying session, 4 August 1984
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:47.012 | — |
| 2 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:47.065 | — |
| 3 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:48.382 | — |
| 4 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:48.425 | — |
| 5 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:48.584 | — |
| 6 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:48.847 | — |
| 7 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:49.004 | — |
| 8 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 1:49.302 | — |
| 9 | 19 | Ayrton Senna | Toleman | 1:49.831 | — |
| 10 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:49.857 | — |
| 11 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:50.117 | — |
| 12 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:50.511 | — |
| 13 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:50.686 | — |
| 14 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:51.475 | — |
| 15 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:51.551 | — |
| 16 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:51.715 | — |
| 17 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | 1:51.872 | — |
| 18 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:51.950 | — |
| 19 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:52.003 | — |
| 20 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:54.546 | — |
| 21 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:54.665 | — |
| 22 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 1:55.594 | — |
| 23 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:55.795 | — |
| 24 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 2:00.118 | — |
| 25 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 46:43.220 | — |
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 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:49.439 | 1:47.012 | 1:47.012 | — |
| 2 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:48.033 | 1:47.065 | 1:47.065 | — |
| 3 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:48.576 | 1:48.382 | 1:48.382 | — |
| 4 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:51.414 | 1:48.425 | 1:48.425 | — |
| 5 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:48.698 | 1:48.584 | 1:48.584 | — |
| 6 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:49.782 | 1:48.847 | 1:48.847 | — |
| 7 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:48.912 | 1:49.004 | 1:48.912 | — |
| 8 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 1:51.693 | 1:49.302 | 1:49.302 | — |
| 9 | 19 | Ayrton Senna | Toleman | 1:49.395 | 1:49.831 | 1:49.395 | — |
| 10 | 28 | René Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:50.830 | 1:49.857 | 1:49.857 | — |
| 11 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:50.338 | 1:50.117 | 1:50.117 | — |
| 12 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:51.428 | 1:50.511 | 1:50.511 | — |
| 13 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:51.697 | 1:50.686 | 1:50.686 | — |
| 14 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:56.450 | 1:51.475 | 1:51.475 | — |
| 15 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:52.144 | 1:51.551 | 1:51.551 | — |
| 16 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:52.958 | 1:51.715 | 1:51.715 | — |
| 17 | 25 | François Hesnault | Ligier | 1:53.985 | 1:51.872 | 1:51.872 | — |
| 18 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:54.802 | 1:51.950 | 1:51.950 | — |
| 19 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 2:12.229 | 1:52.003 | 1:52.003 | — |
| 20 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:52.769 | 1:54.665 | 1:52.769 | — |
| 21 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:59.505 | 1:54.546 | 1:54.546 | — |
| 22 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:55.505 | 1:55.795 | 1:55.505 | — |
| 23 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 1:58.457 | 1:55.594 | 1:55.594 | — |
| 24 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 1:56.112 | 2:00.118 | 1:56.112 | — |
| 25 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 1:56.797 | 46:43.220 | 1:56.797 | — |
| 26 | 3 | Stefan Johansson | Tyrrell | 2:00.268 | 1:59.461 | — | — |
| DNQ | 4 | Mike Thackwell | Tyrrell | 2:01.320 | 1:59.516 | — | — |
Sunday warm-up
Niki Lauda’s throttle stuck open in the warm-up, and an ignition-switch problem complicated stopping the engine. Alain Prost also reported an engine problem, while Huub Rothengatter’s Spirit needed its spare after an engine failure. McLaren had time to work before the afternoon start, but its final preparation was far from straightforward.
Warm-up Classification
1984 German Grand Prix Warm-up, 5 August 1984
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:53.544 | — |
| 2 | 19 | Ayrton Senna | Toleman | +0.010s | — |
| 3 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | +0.040s | — |
| 4 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | +0.043s | — |
| 5 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | +0.090s | — |
| 6 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | +0.323s | — |
| 7 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | +0.480s | — |
| 8 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | +0.666s | — |
| 9 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | +0.890s | — |
| 10 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | +1.613s | — |
| 11 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | +1.826s | — |
| 12 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | +1.973s | — |
| 13 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | +2.606s | — |
| 14 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | +3.450s | — |
| 15 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | +4.060s | — |
| 16 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | +4.066s | — |
| 17 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | +4.086s | — |
| 18 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | +4.506s | — |
| 19 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | +4.603s | — |
| 20 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | +4.606s | — |
| 21 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | +5.833s | — |
| 22 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | +6.453s | — |
| 23 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | +8.270s | — |
| 24 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | +8.300s | — |
| 25 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | +8.713s | — |
What happened in the 1984 German Grand Prix?
De Elio de Angelis led at the start before retiring with engine failure. Nelson Piquet then passed Alain Prost and took control, with Niki Lauda moving into third. Ayrton Senna crashed after a rear-wing failure, and several other cars succumbed to the mechanical demands of the circuit.
Nelson Piquet lost the ability to select several gears and had to retire, handing the race to the McLarens. Alain Prost remained ahead of Niki Lauda, while Derek Warwick established himself as the best of the rest. Both Williams drivers also retired during another difficult afternoon for the team.
Alain Prost won ahead of Niki Lauda and Derek Warwick, extending his advantage over his team-mate by three points. Nigel Mansell finished fourth, Patrick Tambay fifth and Rene Arnoux sixth. It proved to be Derek Warwick’s final Formula 1 podium, while McLaren strengthened its already commanding constructors’ lead.
After the race, Alain Prost headed the drivers’ standings with 44.5 points, followed by Niki Lauda on 39. McLaren – TAG led the constructors’ table on 83.5, with Lotus – Renault on 38.
1984 German Grand Prix race results
The 1984 German Grand Prix was held on 5 August 1984, with a scheduled start of 14:30 local time.
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Laps | Time / Retired | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 44 | 1:24:43.210 | 9 |
| 2 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 44 | + 3.149 | 6 |
| 3 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 44 | + 36.423 | 4 |
| 4 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 44 | + 51.663 | 3 |
| 5 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 44 | + 1:11.949 | 2 |
| 6 | 28 | René Arnoux | Ferrari | 43 | + 1 Lap | 1 |
| 7 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 43 | + 1 Lap | 0 |
| 8 | 25 | François Hesnault | Ligier | 43 | + 1 Lap | 0 |
| 9 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 40 | + 4 Laps | 0 |
| DSQ | 3 | Stefan Johansson | Tyrrell | 42 | Disqualified | 0 |
| Ret | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 31 | Gearbox | 0 |
| Ret | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 29 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 28 | Turbo | 0 |
| Ret | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 23 | Gearbox | 0 |
| Ret | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 16 | Fuel System | 0 |
| Ret | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 14 | Electrical | 0 |
| Ret | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 13 | Turbo | 0 |
| Ret | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 13 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 11 | Turbo | 0 |
| Ret | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 10 | Electrical | 0 |
| Ret | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 10 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 8 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 8 | Turbo | 0 |
| Ret | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 7 | Overheating | 0 |
| Ret | 19 | Ayrton Senna | Toleman | 4 | Rear Wing | 0 |
| Ret | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1 | Turbo | 0 |
| DNQ | 4 | Mike Thackwell | Tyrrell | 0 |
1984 German Grand Prix Fastest Laps
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 31 | 1:53.538 |
| 2 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 29 | 1:53.778 |
| 3 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 6 | 1:54.328 |
| 4 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 33 | 1:54.466 |
| 5 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 7 | 1:54.529 |
| 6 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 33 | 1:54.583 |
| 7 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 7 | 1:54.776 |
| 8 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 37 | 1:55.024 |
| 9 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 23 | 1:55.062 |
| 10 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 4 | 1:55.176 |
| 11 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 32 | 1:55.668 |
| 12 | 19 | Ayrton Senna | Toleman | 4 | 1:55.712 |
| 13 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 4 | 1:56.930 |
| 14 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 7 | 1:57.142 |
| 15 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 18 | 1:57.460 |
| 16 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 7 | 1:58.257 |
| 17 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | 7 | 1:58.421 |
| 18 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 7 | 1:58.425 |
| 19 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 5 | 1:58.588 |
| 20 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 6 | 1:58.658 |
| 21 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 7 | 1:59.567 |
| 22 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 7 | 2:01.116 |
| 23 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 2 | 2:02.203 |
| 24 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 2 | 2:03.195 |
| 25 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1 | 3:02.645 |
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 German Grand Prix.
1984 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
1984 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLaren – TAG | 83.5 |
| 2 | Lotus – Renault | 38 |
| 3 | Ferrari | 36.5 |
| 4 | Renault | 33 |
| 5 | Williams – Honda | 25.5 |
| 6 | Brabham – BMW | 22 |
| 7 | Toleman – Hart | 9 |
| 8 | Alfa Romeo | 6 |
| 9 | Arrows – Ford | 3 |
| 10 | Ligier – Renault | 3 |
| 11 | Osella – Alfa Romeo | 2 |
| — | Spirit – Hart | 0 |
| — | ATS – BMW | 0 |
| — | RAM – Hart | 0 |
| — | Arrows – BMW | 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
Seen in:
