Niki Lauda took a major step towards the 1984 World Championship with victory at Monza. Michele Alboreto finished second for Ferrari and Riccardo Patrese third for Alfa Romeo, while Alain Prost’s early engine failure left him facing a much larger deficit.
Race Guide
Season: 1984 F1 World Championship
Race date: 9 September 1984
Race start time: Start time unconfirmed local time (UTC+02:00)
Circuit: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
Laps: 51 laps
Circuit length: 5.800 km
1983 winner: Nelson Piquet
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Nelson Piquet | Brabham |
| Pole time | 1:26.584 | |
| Fastest lap | Niki Lauda | McLaren |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:31.912 on lap 42 | |
| First | Niki Lauda | McLaren |
| Second | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari |
| Third | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 7 September 1984 | Practice 1 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 7 September 1984 | Qualifying 1 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 8 September 1984 | Practice 2 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 8 September 1984 | Qualifying 2 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 9 September 1984 | Warm-up | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 9 September 1984 | Race | Start time unconfirmed |
All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.
Championship background
Niki Lauda arrived at round 14 leading the 1984 F1 World Championship on 54 points, with Alain Prost on 53.5. McLaren – TAG headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 107.5 points.
Race entries
Tyrrell was absent after its appeal failed. Toleman suspended Ayrton Senna following his agreement to join Lotus, bringing in Stefan Johansson and giving Martini his first Formula 1 weekend. Gerhard Berger continued in the second ATS, while Jo Gartner drove the second Osella; both additional entries were ineligible for championship points.
Friday Free Practice
Friday morning offered little encouragement to Ferrari despite revised rear bodywork. Nelson Piquet and the McLarens remained quicker, while Manfred Winkelhock damaged his ATS after a broken driveshaft also damaged the suspension. Jo Gartner hit the barriers too, and a light shower at the end of the session complicated preparation for qualifying.
Friday Qualifying
De Elio de Angelis was fastest on Friday as the track dried, ahead of Nelson Piquet. Michele Alboreto briefly gave Ferrari some encouragement, but the changing conditions meant the order was far from settled.
Friday Qualifying Classification
1984 Italian Grand Prix first qualifying session, 7 September 1984
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:28.014 | — |
| 2 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:28.709 | — |
| 3 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 1:29.383 | — |
| 4 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:29.810 | — |
| 5 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:29.854 | — |
| 6 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:30.113 | — |
| 7 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:30.142 | — |
| 8 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:30.710 | — |
| 9 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:31.108 | — |
| 10 | 19 | Stefan Johansson | Toleman | 1:31.207 | — |
| 11 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:31.495 | — |
| 12 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:31.532 | — |
| 13 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:31.715 | — |
| 14 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:32.014 | — |
| 15 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:32.091 | — |
| 16 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:32.365 | — |
| 17 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:32.636 | — |
| 18 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | 1:32.779 | — |
| 19 | 31 | Gerhard Berger | ATS | 1:33.161 | — |
| 20 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:33.386 | — |
| 21 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:33.456 | — |
| 22 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 1:36.876 | — |
| 23 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 1:37.123 | — |
| 24 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:37.186 | — |
| 25 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 1:38.255 | — |
| 26 | 20 | Pierluigi Martini | Toleman | 1:38.312 | — |
| 27 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 2:00.593 | — |
Saturday Free Practice
Engine trouble dominated Saturday morning. Jonathan Palmer needed another replacement, Alain Prost switched to the spare McLaren, and Marc Surer lost oil pressure in his Arrows. Niki Lauda also strained his back and required treatment before qualifying. The dry conditions promised faster times, but several teams were still repairing their cars.
Saturday Qualifying
Nelson Piquet attacked early on Saturday and took pole with 1:26.584. Alain Prost came close but remained second, with de Elio de Angelis and Niki Lauda on the next row. Martini was the only driver to miss the grid after struggling to learn the unfamiliar Toleman.
Saturday Qualifying Classification
1984 Italian Grand Prix second qualifying session, 8 September 1984
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:26.584 | — |
| 2 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:26.671 | — |
| 3 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:27.538 | — |
| 4 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:28.533 | — |
| 5 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 1:28.587 | — |
| 6 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:28.818 | — |
| 7 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:28.969 | — |
| 8 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:29.253 | — |
| 9 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:29.382 | — |
| 10 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:29.797 | — |
| 11 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:30.069 | — |
| 12 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:30.569 | — |
| 13 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:30.578 | — |
| 14 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:30.695 | — |
| 15 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:31.198 | — |
| 16 | 19 | Stefan Johansson | Toleman | 1:31.203 | — |
| 17 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | 1:31.274 | — |
| 18 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:31.342 | — |
| 19 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:31.513 | — |
| 20 | 31 | Gerhard Berger | ATS | 1:31.549 | — |
| 21 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 1:32.866 | — |
| 22 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:33.562 | — |
| 23 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:34.120 | — |
| 24 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 1:34.472 | — |
| 25 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 1:34.719 | — |
| 26 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 1:35.412 | — |
| 27 | 20 | Pierluigi Martini | Toleman | 1:35.840 | — |
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 | 1:28.709 | 1:26.584 | 1:26.584 | — |
| 2 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:29.854 | 1:26.671 | 1:26.671 | — |
| 3 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:28.014 | 1:27.538 | 1:27.538 | — |
| 4 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:30.142 | 1:28.533 | 1:28.533 | — |
| 5 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 1:29.383 | 1:28.587 | 1:28.587 | — |
| 6 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:33.386 | 1:28.818 | 1:28.818 | — |
| 7 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 1:31.715 | 1:28.969 | 1:28.969 | — |
| 8 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:31.532 | 1:29.253 | 1:29.253 | — |
| 9 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:30.710 | 1:29.382 | 1:29.382 | — |
| 10 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:32.365 | 1:29.797 | 1:29.797 | — |
| 11 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:29.810 | 1:30.069 | 1:29.810 | — |
| 12 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:30.113 | 1:30.569 | 1:30.113 | — |
| 13 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 1:32.091 | 1:30.578 | 1:30.578 | — |
| 14 | 28 | René Arnoux | Ferrari | 1:31.495 | 1:30.695 | 1:30.695 | — |
| 15 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 1:31.108 | 1:31.513 | 1:31.108 | — |
| 16 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:32.014 | 1:31.198 | 1:31.198 | — |
| 17 | 19 | Stefan Johansson | Toleman | 1:31.207 | 1:31.203 | 1:31.203 | — |
| 18 | 25 | François Hesnault | Ligier | 1:32.779 | 1:31.274 | 1:31.274 | — |
| 19 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:32.636 | 1:31.342 | 1:31.342 | — |
| 20 | 31 | Gerhard Berger | ATS | 1:33.161 | 1:31.549 | 1:31.549 | — |
| 21 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 2:00.593 | 1:32.866 | 1:32.866 | — |
| 22 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:33.456 | 1:33.562 | 1:33.456 | — |
| 23 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:37.186 | 1:34.120 | 1:34.120 | — |
| 24 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 1:37.123 | 1:34.472 | 1:34.472 | — |
| 25 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 1:38.255 | 1:34.719 | 1:34.719 | — |
| 26 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 1:36.876 | 1:35.412 | 1:35.412 | — |
| DNQ | 20 | Pierluigi Martini | Toleman | 1:38.312 | 1:35.840 | 1:35.840 | — |
Sunday warm-up
The warm-up triggered another rush of work. Both McLarens developed water leaks, Williams had engine problems, and Stefan Johansson preferred the spare Toleman’s chassis but his race car’s engine. Ferrari’s drivers returned to older-specification cars, while Brabham replaced Nelson Piquet’s troublesome turbocharger before the start.
Warm-up Classification
1984 Italian Grand Prix Warm-up, 9 September 1984
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:31.698 | — |
| 2 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | +0.486s | — |
| 3 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | +0.946s | — |
| 4 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | +1.380s | — |
| 5 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | +1.410s | — |
| 6 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | +1.696s | — |
| 7 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | +1.706s | — |
| 8 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | +2.390s | — |
| 9 | 19 | Stefan Johansson | Toleman | +2.620s | — |
| 10 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | +2.790s | — |
| 11 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | +2.926s | — |
| 12 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | +3.176s | — |
| 13 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | +3.326s | — |
| 14 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | +4.066s | — |
| 15 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | +4.166s | — |
| 16 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | +4.346s | — |
| 17 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | +4.663s | — |
| 18 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | +5.326s | — |
| 19 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | +5.386s | — |
| 20 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | +5.446s | — |
| 21 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | +5.553s | — |
| 22 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | +5.573s | — |
| 23 | 31 | Gerhard Berger | ATS | +5.966s | — |
| 24 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | +6.276s | — |
| 25 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | +6.813s | — |
| 26 | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | +79.623s | — |
What happened in the 1984 Italian Grand Prix?
Nelson Piquet led as Alain Prost moved into second, but the McLaren’s engine failed early. Patrick Tambay inherited the pursuit before Nelson Piquet also retired. Fabi recovered from a spin to challenge the Renault, with Niki Lauda waiting close behind.
Niki Lauda passed Fabi and then Patrick Tambay to take the lead. Both rivals soon retired, leaving Michele Alboreto second as attrition continued through the field. Eddie Cheever and Piercarlo Ghinzani ran out of fuel, while Riccardo Patrese moved ahead of Stefan Johansson to secure third.
Niki Lauda won from Michele Alboreto and Riccardo Patrese, with Stefan Johansson fourth. Jo Gartner and Gerhard Berger finished fifth and sixth but received no points because their additional entries were not eligible. Niki Lauda’s championship lead grew to ten and a half points with two rounds remaining.
After the race, Niki Lauda headed the drivers’ standings with 63 points, followed by Alain Prost on 53.5. McLaren – TAG led the constructors’ table on 116.5, with Ferrari on 46.5.
1984 Italian Grand Prix race results
The 1984 Italian Grand Prix was held on 9 September 1984.
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Laps | Time / Retired | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 51 | 1:20:29.065 | 9 |
| 2 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 51 | + 24.249 | 6 |
| 3 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 50 | + 1 Lap | 4 |
| 4 | 19 | Stefan Johansson | Toleman | 49 | + 2 Laps | 3 |
| 5 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 49 | + 2 Laps | 0 |
| 6 | 31 | Gerhard Berger | ATS | 49 | + 2 Laps | 0 |
| 7 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 48 | Out of fuel | 0 |
| 8 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 48 | + 3 Laps | 0 |
| 9 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 45 | Out of fuel | 0 |
| 10 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 45 | + 6 Laps | 0 |
| Ret | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 43 | Throttle | 0 |
| Ret | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 43 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 43 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 31 | Oil pressure | 0 |
| Ret | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 20 | Oil pressure | 0 |
| Ret | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 15 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 14 | Gearbox | 0 |
| Ret | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 13 | Spun off | 0 |
| Ret | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 10 | Turbo | 0 |
| Ret | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 8 | Turbo | 0 |
| Ret | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 7 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 25 | François Hesnault | Ligier | 7 | Spun off | 0 |
| Ret | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 6 | Electrical | 0 |
| Ret | 28 | René Arnoux | Ferrari | 5 | Gearbox | 0 |
| Ret | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 3 | Engine | 0 |
| DNS | 14 | Manfred Winkelhock | ATS | 0 | Gearbox | 0 |
1984 Italian Grand Prix Fastest Laps
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 42 | 1:31.912 |
| 2 | 2 | Teo Fabi | Brabham | 22 | 1:32.418 |
| 3 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 39 | 1:32.433 |
| 4 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 43 | 1:33.159 |
| 5 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 36 | 1:33.280 |
| 6 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 27 | 1:33.359 |
| 7 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 30 | 1:33.666 |
| 8 | 19 | Stefan Johansson | Toleman | 23 | 1:33.867 |
| 9 | 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 7 | 1:34.076 |
| 10 | 17 | Marc Surer | Arrows | 26 | 1:34.657 |
| 11 | 12 | Nigel Mansell | Lotus | 13 | 1:34.907 |
| 12 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 4 | 1:35.245 |
| 13 | 5 | Jacques Laffite | Williams | 8 | 1:35.268 |
| 14 | 28 | Rene Arnoux | Ferrari | 5 | 1:35.453 |
| 15 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 27 | 1:35.574 |
| 16 | 7 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 3 | 1:35.604 |
| 17 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 13 | 1:35.900 |
| 18 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 26 | 1:36.036 |
| 19 | 26 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 7 | 1:36.893 |
| 20 | 30 | Jo Gartner | Osella | 22 | 1:37.278 |
| 21 | 25 | Francois Hesnault | Ligier | 4 | 1:37.300 |
| 22 | 31 | Gerhard Berger | ATS | 5 | 1:37.748 |
| 23 | 21 | Huub Rothengatter | Spirit | 21 | 1:38.351 |
| 24 | 9 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 5 | 1:38.647 |
| 25 | 10 | Jonathan Palmer | RAM | 15 | 1:38.967 |
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 Italian Grand Prix.
1984 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
1984 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLaren – TAG | 116.5 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 46.5 |
| 3 | Lotus – Renault | 45 |
| 4 | Renault | 34 |
| 5 | Brabham – BMW | 33 |
| 6 | Williams – Honda | 25.5 |
| 7 | Toleman – Hart | 12 |
| 8 | Alfa Romeo | 10 |
| 9 | Ligier – Renault | 3 |
| 10 | Arrows – Ford | 3 |
| 11 | Arrows – BMW | 3 |
| 12 | Osella – Alfa Romeo | 2 |
| — | ATS – BMW | 0 |
| — | Spirit – Hart | 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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