Ferrari took command of the 1985 Canadian Grand Prix with a one-two finish for Michele Alboreto and Stefan Johansson. Lotus had monopolised the front row, but Michele Alboreto’s first victory of the season carried him into the championship lead ahead of the summer races.
Race Guide
Season: 1985 F1 World Championship
Race date: 16 June 1985
Race start time: Start time unconfirmed local time (UTC-04:00)
Circuit: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
Laps: 70 laps
Circuit length: 4.410 km
1984 winner: Nelson Piquet
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Elio de Angelis | Lotus |
| Pole time | 1:24.567 | |
| Fastest lap | Ayrton Senna | Lotus |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:27.445 on lap 45 | |
| First | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari |
| Second | Stefan Johansson | Ferrari |
| Third | Alain Prost | McLaren |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 14 June 1985 | Practice 1 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 14 June 1985 | Qualifying 1 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 15 June 1985 | Practice 2 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 15 June 1985 | Qualifying 2 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 16 June 1985 | Warm-up | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 16 June 1985 | Race | Start time unconfirmed |
All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.
Championship background
Elio de Angelis arrived at round 5 leading the 1985 F1 World Championship on 20 points, with Alain Prost on 18. Lotus – Renault headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 29 points.
The championship resumed after the Belgian meeting had been postponed because the new track surface broke up. Montreal therefore became round five, with the return to Spa scheduled for later in the season. Fuel consumption was again a central concern over the Canadian race distance.
Race entries
Marc Surer replaced François Francois Hesnault at Brabham. Zakspeed skipped the North American races to continue development at home, while Williams introduced its latest Honda engine specification. Stefan Johansson was settling into Ferrari and looking to turn his promising pace into a result.
Friday Free Practice
Friday’s sunshine gave the teams useful preparation time, but Montreal’s fuel demands dominated much of the work. Williams was learning the characteristics of its revised Honda engine, designed to improve flexibility and consumption. Philippe Alliot ran well in the morning for RAM before a later accident spoiled his day, while Ferrari assessed its fuel-monitoring equipment.
Friday Qualifying
Michele Alboreto led Friday qualifying with 1:25.127, ahead of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. Ferrari appeared well placed, but the final session would alter the front of the grid.
Friday Qualifying Classification
1985 Canadian Grand Prix first qualifying session, 14 June 1985
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:25.127 | — |
| 2 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 1:25.399 | — |
| 3 | 2 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:25.977 | — |
| 4 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:26.255 | — |
| 5 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:26.801 | — |
| 6 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:26.895 | — |
| 7 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:26.959 | — |
| 8 | 7 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:27.004 | — |
| 9 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:27.638 | — |
| 10 | 28 | Stefan Johansson | Ferrari | 1:27.870 | — |
| 11 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:28.081 | — |
| 12 | 1 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:28.126 | — |
| 13 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:28.241 | — |
| 14 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 1:28.367 | — |
| 15 | 25 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:28.746 | — |
| 16 | 10 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:29.501 | — |
| 17 | 26 | Jacques Laffite | Ligier | 1:29.730 | — |
| 18 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Toleman | 1:29.910 | — |
| 19 | 8 | Marc Surer | Brabham | 1:30.206 | — |
| 20 | 17 | Gerhard Berger | Arrows | 1:30.826 | — |
| 21 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | RAM | 1:31.147 | — |
| 22 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:32.299 | — |
| 23 | 4 | Stefan Bellof | Tyrrell | 1:32.586 | — |
| 24 | 3 | Martin Brundle | Tyrrell | 1:32.760 | — |
| 25 | 29 | Pierluigi Martini | Minardi | 1:34.985 | — |
Saturday Free Practice
The second day continued in dry conditions, but several teams struggled to complete clean programmes. Williams had mechanical interruptions, and the new engine still demanded care when applying power out of slow corners. Brabham remained unhappy with its tyres, while Ferrari’s underlying speed suggested it could challenge Lotus over a race distance.
Saturday Qualifying
De Elio de Angelis took pole with 1:24.567, beating Ayrton Senna by 0.249 seconds for a Lotus front-row lockout. Michele Alboreto’s car caught fire after an oil leak, leaving his Friday time good enough for third. Stefan Johansson joined him on the second row, ahead of Alain Prost and Derek Warwick.
Saturday Qualifying Classification
1985 Canadian Grand Prix second qualifying session, 15 June 1985
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:24.567 | — |
| 2 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 1:24.816 | — |
| 3 | 28 | Stefan Johansson | Ferrari | 1:25.170 | — |
| 4 | 2 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:25.557 | — |
| 5 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:25.622 | — |
| 6 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:25.832 | — |
| 7 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:25.846 | — |
| 8 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:26.097 | — |
| 9 | 7 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:26.301 | — |
| 10 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:26.340 | — |
| 11 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:26.354 | — |
| 12 | 17 | Gerhard Berger | Arrows | 1:26.743 | — |
| 13 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:26.995 | — |
| 14 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | RAM | 1:27.266 | — |
| 15 | 25 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:27.403 | — |
| 16 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 1:27.728 | — |
| 17 | 1 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:28.130 | — |
| 18 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Toleman | 1:28.625 | — |
| 19 | 26 | Jacques Laffite | Ligier | 1:28.750 | — |
| 20 | 8 | Marc Surer | Brabham | 1:29.473 | — |
| 21 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:31.576 | — |
| 22 | 4 | Stefan Bellof | Tyrrell | 1:31.733 | — |
| 23 | 3 | Martin Brundle | Tyrrell | 1:31.923 | — |
| 24 | 10 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:36.960 | — |
| 25 | 29 | Pierluigi Martini | Minardi | 1:47.148 | — |
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 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 1:26.895 | 1:24.567 | 1:24.567 | — |
| 2 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 1:25.399 | 1:24.816 | 1:24.816 | — |
| 3 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:25.127 | 1:25.832 | 1:25.127 | — |
| 4 | 28 | Stefan Johansson | Ferrari | 1:27.870 | 1:25.170 | 1:25.170 | — |
| 5 | 2 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:25.977 | 1:25.557 | 1:25.557 | — |
| 6 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 1:26.801 | 1:25.622 | 1:25.622 | — |
| 7 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 1:28.241 | 1:25.846 | 1:25.846 | — |
| 8 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 1:26.255 | 1:26.097 | 1:26.097 | — |
| 9 | 7 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | 1:27.004 | 1:26.301 | 1:26.301 | — |
| 10 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 1:26.959 | 1:26.340 | 1:26.340 | — |
| 11 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 1:27.638 | 1:26.354 | 1:26.354 | — |
| 12 | 17 | Gerhard Berger | Arrows | 1:30.826 | 1:26.743 | 1:26.743 | — |
| 13 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 1:28.081 | 1:26.995 | 1:26.995 | — |
| 14 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | RAM | 1:31.147 | 1:27.266 | 1:27.266 | — |
| 15 | 25 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 1:28.746 | 1:27.403 | 1:27.403 | — |
| 16 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 1:28.367 | 1:27.728 | 1:27.728 | — |
| 17 | 1 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:28.126 | 1:28.130 | 1:28.126 | — |
| 18 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Toleman | 1:29.910 | 1:28.625 | 1:28.625 | — |
| 19 | 26 | Jacques Laffite | Ligier | 1:29.730 | 1:28.750 | 1:28.750 | — |
| 20 | 8 | Marc Surer | Brabham | 1:30.206 | 1:29.473 | 1:29.473 | — |
| 21 | 10 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 1:29.501 | 1:36.960 | 1:29.501 | — |
| 22 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:32.299 | 1:31.576 | 1:31.576 | — |
| 23 | 4 | Stefan Bellof | Tyrrell | 1:32.586 | 1:31.733 | 1:31.733 | — |
| 24 | 3 | Martin Brundle | Tyrrell | 1:32.760 | 1:31.923 | 1:31.923 | — |
| 25 | 29 | Pierluigi Martini | Minardi | 1:34.985 | 1:47.148 | 1:34.985 | — |
Sunday warm-up
Niki Lauda edged Alain Prost by just three thousandths in the warm-up, a much stronger showing than his qualifying performance. Lotus needed further mechanical work, with an engine change for Ayrton Senna and replacement turbos for de Elio de Angelis. Teo Fabi’s fuel-system trouble also complicated Toleman’s preparations and ultimately left him starting from the pits.
Warm-up Classification
1985 Canadian Grand Prix Warm-up, 16 June 1985
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 1:29.727 | — |
| 2 | 2 | Alain Prost | McLaren | +0.003s | — |
| 3 | 28 | Stefan Johansson | Ferrari | +0.443s | — |
| 4 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | +0.710s | — |
| 5 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | +0.723s | — |
| 6 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | +0.780s | — |
| 7 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | +0.803s | — |
| 8 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | +1.270s | — |
| 9 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | +1.476s | — |
| 10 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | +1.760s | — |
| 11 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | +1.990s | — |
| 12 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | +2.810s | — |
| 13 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | +2.833s | — |
| 14 | 8 | Marc Surer | Brabham | +2.936s | — |
| 15 | 7 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | +3.136s | — |
| 16 | 25 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | +3.540s | — |
| 17 | 4 | Stefan Bellof | Tyrrell | +3.733s | — |
| 18 | 17 | Gerhard Berger | Arrows | +4.150s | — |
| 19 | 3 | Martin Brundle | Tyrrell | +4.486s | — |
| 20 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Toleman | +4.933s | — |
| 21 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | RAM | +5.520s | — |
| 22 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | +5.726s | — |
| 23 | 10 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | +6.383s | — |
| 24 | 26 | Jacques Laffite | Ligier | +9.750s | — |
| 25 | 29 | Pierluigi Martini | Minardi | +10.600s | — |
What happened in the 1985 Canadian Grand Prix?
De Elio de Angelis led Ayrton Senna and Michele Alboreto away, but Ayrton Senna soon lost several laps repairing a turbo-pressure problem. Michele Alboreto then caught and passed the remaining Lotus. Stefan Johansson followed his team-mate through as Ferrari established control.
Fuel concerns and increasing understeer slowed de Elio de Angelis, while Alain Prost worked his way onto the podium. Keke Rosberg recovered from an early stop and a spin to climb back into contention. Niki Lauda’s difficult weekend ended with engine trouble, and Ayrton Senna continued far behind but set fastest lap.
Michele Alboreto finished 1.957 seconds ahead of Stefan Johansson, who claimed his first podium. Alain Prost was third, followed by Keke Rosberg, de Elio de Angelis and Nigel Mansell. Ferrari moved to the top of the constructors’ standings as Michele Alboreto opened a five-point drivers’ championship lead.
After the race, Michele Alboreto headed the drivers’ standings with 27 points, followed by Alain Prost on 22. Ferrari led the constructors’ table on 37, with Lotus – Renault on 31.
1985 Canadian Grand Prix race results
The 1985 Canadian Grand Prix was held on 16 June 1985.
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Laps | Time / Retired | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 70 | 1:46:01.813 | 9 |
| 2 | 28 | Stefan Johansson | Ferrari | 70 | + 1.957 | 6 |
| 3 | 2 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 70 | + 4.341 | 4 |
| 4 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 70 | + 27.821 | 3 |
| 5 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 70 | + 43.349 | 2 |
| 6 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 70 | + 1:17.878 | 1 |
| 7 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 69 | + 1 lap | 0 |
| 8 | 26 | Jacques Laffite | Ligier | 69 | + 1 lap | 0 |
| 9 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 68 | + 2 laps | 0 |
| 10 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 68 | + 2 laps | 0 |
| 11 | 4 | Stefan Bellof | Tyrrell | 68 | + 2 laps | 0 |
| 12 | 3 | Martin Brundle | Tyrrell | 68 | + 2 laps | 0 |
| 13 | 17 | Gerhard Berger | Arrows | 67 | + 3 laps | 0 |
| 14 | 25 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 67 | + 3 laps | 0 |
| 15 | 8 | Marc Surer | Brabham | 67 | + 3 laps | 0 |
| 16 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 65 | + 5 laps | 0 |
| 17 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 64 | + 6 laps | 0 |
| Ret | 29 | Pierluigi Martini | Minardi | 57 | Accident | 0 |
| Ret | 1 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 37 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 35 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 10 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 28 | Accident | 0 |
| Ret | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 25 | Accident | 0 |
| Ret | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | RAM | 5 | Accident | 0 |
| Ret | 19 | Teo Fabi | Toleman | 3 | Turbo | 0 |
| Ret | 7 | Nelson Piquet | Brabham | Transmission | 0 |
1985 Canadian Grand Prix Fastest Laps
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 45 | 1:27.445 |
| 2 | 6 | Keke Rosberg | Williams | 51 | 1:27.611 |
| 3 | 23 | Eddie Cheever | Alfa Romeo | 64 | 1:28.481 |
| 4 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 28 | 1:28.637 |
| 5 | 28 | Stefan Johansson | Ferrari | 44 | 1:28.651 |
| 6 | 2 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 64 | 1:28.755 |
| 7 | 15 | Patrick Tambay | Renault | 46 | 1:28.863 |
| 8 | 11 | Elio de Angelis | Lotus | 38 | 1:29.156 |
| 9 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 50 | 1:29.331 |
| 10 | 25 | Andrea de Cesaris | Ligier | 45 | 1:30.070 |
| 11 | 26 | Jacques Laffite | Ligier | 54 | 1:30.324 |
| 12 | 1 | Niki Lauda | McLaren | 29 | 1:30.433 |
| 13 | 16 | Derek Warwick | Renault | 22 | 1:31.367 |
| 14 | 18 | Thierry Boutsen | Arrows | 6 | 1:31.688 |
| 15 | 17 | Gerhard Berger | Arrows | 15 | 1:31.735 |
| 16 | 22 | Riccardo Patrese | Alfa Romeo | 24 | 1:31.978 |
| 17 | 8 | Marc Surer | Brabham | 40 | 1:32.286 |
| 18 | 10 | Philippe Alliot | RAM | 25 | 1:32.325 |
| 19 | 3 | Martin Brundle | Tyrrell | 55 | 1:32.485 |
| 20 | 4 | Stefan Bellof | Tyrrell | 56 | 1:33.085 |
| 21 | 9 | Manfred Winkelhock | RAM | 4 | 1:33.690 |
| 22 | 24 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 5 | 1:35.136 |
| 23 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Toleman | 2 | 1:35.539 |
| 24 | 29 | Pierluigi Martini | Minardi | 7 | 1:36.757 |
Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.
1985 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings
Championship standings after the 1985 Canadian Grand Prix.
1985 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
| POS | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michele Alboreto | Italian | Ferrari | 27 |
| 2 | Alain Prost | French | McLaren | 22 |
| 3 | Elio de Angelis | Italian | Lotus | 22 |
| 4 | Patrick Tambay | French | Renault | 10 |
| 5 | Ayrton Senna | Brazilian | Lotus | 9 |
| 6 | Stefan Johansson | Swedish | Tyrrell / Ferrari | 7 |
| 7 | Thierry Boutsen | Belgian | Arrows | 6 |
| 8 | Nigel Mansell | British | Williams | 5 |
| 9 | Keke Rosberg | Finnish | Williams | 3 |
| 10 | Andrea de Cesaris | Italian | Ligier | 3 |
| 11 | Niki Lauda | Austrian | McLaren | 3 |
| 12 | René Arnoux | French | Ferrari | 3 |
| 13 | Derek Warwick | British | Renault | 2 |
| 14 | Jacques Laffite | French | Ligier | 2 |
| 15 | Stefan Bellof | German | Tyrrell | 1 |
| – | Martin Brundle | British | Tyrrell | 0 |
| – | Nelson Piquet | Brazilian | Brabham | 0 |
| – | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Italian | Osella | 0 |
| – | Philippe Alliot | French | RAM | 0 |
| – | Riccardo Patrese | Italian | Alfa Romeo | 0 |
| – | Jonathan Palmer | British | Zakspeed | 0 |
| – | Manfred Winkelhock | German | RAM | 0 |
| – | Gerhard Berger | Austrian | Arrows | 0 |
| – | Marc Surer | Swiss | Brabham | 0 |
| – | Eddie Cheever | American | Alfa Romeo | 0 |
| – | Teo Fabi | Italian | Toleman | 0 |
| – | Pierluigi Martini | Italian | Minardi | 0 |
| – | Mauro Baldi | Italian | Spirit | 0 |
| – | François Hesnault | French | Brabham | 0 |
1985 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferrari | 37 |
| 2 | Lotus – Renault | 31 |
| 3 | McLaren – TAG | 25 |
| 4 | Renault | 12 |
| 5 | Williams – Honda | 8 |
| 6 | Arrows – BMW | 6 |
| 7 | Ligier – Renault | 5 |
| 8 | Tyrrell – Ford | 1 |
| — | Brabham – BMW | 0 |
| — | Osella – Alfa Romeo | 0 |
| — | RAM – Hart | 0 |
| — | Alfa Romeo | 0 |
| — | Zakspeed | 0 |
| — | Minardi – Ford | 0 |
| — | Spirit – Hart | 0 |
| — | Minardi – Motori Moderni | 0 |
| — | Toleman – Hart | 0 |
Drivers counted their best eleven results; constructors counted every round. The standings here show the position after this race.
1985 Formula 1 Race Calendar
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