Nelson Piquet made it back-to-back victories at the 1987 Hungarian Grand Prix after a loose wheel nut ended Nigel Mansell’s commanding run. Ayrton Senna finished second and Alain Prost third, while Nelson Piquet extended his advantage in the championship.
Race Guide
Season: 1987 F1 World Championship
Race date: 9 August 1987
Race start time: Start time unconfirmed local time (UTC+02:00)
Circuit: Hungaroring
Laps: 76 laps
Circuit length: 4.014 km
1986 winner: Nelson Piquet
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Nigel Mansell | Williams |
| Pole time | 1:28.047 | |
| Fastest lap | Nelson Piquet | Williams |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:30.149 on lap 63 | |
| First | Nelson Piquet | Williams |
| Second | Ayrton Senna | Lotus |
| Third | Alain Prost | McLaren |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 7 August 1987 | Practice 1 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 7 August 1987 | Qualifying 1 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 8 August 1987 | Practice 2 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 8 August 1987 | Qualifying 2 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 9 August 1987 | Warm-up | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 9 August 1987 | Race | Start time unconfirmed |
All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.
Championship background
Nelson Piquet arrived at round 9 leading the 1987 F1 World Championship on 39 points, with Ayrton Senna on 35. Williams – Honda headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 69 points.
Race entries
The race line-ups were unchanged, but the paddock was already looking ahead: Ayrton Senna had told Lotus he would leave, and Nelson Piquet was confirmed as his replacement. On track, Lotus brought revised bodywork, Benetton strengthened its driveshafts and Zakspeed introduced new rear suspension.
Friday Free Practice
Cool conditions and showers complicated Friday’s running at Hungaroring. Ferrari experimented with an electronic system intended to control wheelspin, while the revised Lotus bodywork sought more aerodynamic efficiency. Grip remained the central difficulty: the narrow usable line and slippery surface made it hard for drivers to turn extra downforce into confidence.
Friday Qualifying
Nigel Mansell produced the decisive lap on Friday as the circuit improved after rain. His 1:28.047 left Alain Prost second provisionally, but the Williams driver’s margin was substantial.
Friday Qualifying Classification
1987 Hungarian Grand Prix first qualifying session, 7 August 1987
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 1:28.047 | — |
| 2 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:30.156 | — |
| 3 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:30.472 | — |
| 4 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | 1:30.748 | — |
| 5 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | 1:30.842 | — |
| 6 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 1:31.080 | — |
| 7 | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | 1:31.228 | — |
| 8 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 1:31.387 | — |
| 9 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 1:31.416 | — |
| 10 | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:31.586 | — |
| 11 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 1:32.336 | — |
| 12 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | 1:32.452 | — |
| 13 | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | 1:32.628 | — |
| 14 | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | 1:33.644 | — |
| 15 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 1:33.777 | — |
| 16 | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | 1:34.297 | — |
| 17 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 1:34.398 | — |
| 18 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | 1:34.796 | — |
| 19 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 1:34.950 | — |
| 20 | 25 | Rene Arnoux | Ligier | 1:35.346 | — |
| 21 | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | 1:35.754 | — |
| 22 | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | 1:35.930 | — |
| 23 | 23 | Adrian Campos | Minardi | 1:36.067 | — |
| 24 | 26 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Ligier | 1:36.411 | — |
| 25 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | 1:36.693 | — |
| 26 | 14 | Pascal Fabre | AGS | 1:38.803 | — |
Saturday Free Practice
Saturday was much hotter, and Ferrari found a better balance after an unsettled first day. Gerhard Berger’s improvement was particularly encouraging despite his stomach illness. The naturally aspirated cars were also more competitive on this slow circuit, where good handling could make up some of their considerable power deficit.
Saturday Qualifying
Gerhard Berger was fastest on Saturday and secured second on the grid, Ferrari’s first front-row appearance since 1985. Nigel Mansell could not improve after a spin but retained pole. Nelson Piquet qualified third ahead of Alain Prost, Michele Alboreto and Ayrton Senna.
Saturday Qualifying Classification
1987 Hungarian Grand Prix second qualifying session, 8 August 1987
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 1:28.549 | — |
| 2 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 1:28.682 | — |
| 3 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | 1:29.724 | — |
| 4 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:30.310 | — |
| 5 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:30.327 | — |
| 6 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 1:30.387 | — |
| 7 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | 1:30.810 | — |
| 8 | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | 1:31.940 | — |
| 9 | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:32.422 | — |
| 10 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | 1:32.639 | — |
| 11 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 1:33.700 | — |
| 12 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 1:33.895 | — |
| 13 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 1:34.014 | — |
| 14 | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | 1:34.383 | — |
| 15 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 1:34.386 | — |
| 16 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 1:34.426 | — |
| 17 | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | 1:34.476 | — |
| 18 | 25 | Rene Arnoux | Ligier | 1:34.518 | — |
| 19 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | 1:34.770 | — |
| 20 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | 1:35.594 | — |
| 21 | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | 1:35.818 | — |
| 22 | 26 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Ligier | 1:36.109 | — |
| 23 | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | 1:36.371 | — |
| 24 | 14 | Pascal Fabre | AGS | 1:37.730 | — |
| 25 | 23 | Adrian Campos | Minardi | 1:37.948 | — |
| 26 | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | 1:43.913 | — |
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 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 1:28.047 | 1:28.682 | 1:28.047 | — |
| 2 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 1:31.080 | 1:28.549 | 1:28.549 | — |
| 3 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | 1:30.842 | 1:29.724 | 1:29.724 | — |
| 4 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:30.156 | 1:30.327 | 1:30.156 | — |
| 5 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:30.472 | 1:30.310 | 1:30.310 | — |
| 6 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 1:31.387 | 1:30.387 | 1:30.387 | — |
| 7 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | 1:30.748 | 1:30.810 | 1:30.748 | — |
| 8 | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | 1:31.228 | 1:31.940 | 1:31.228 | — |
| 9 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 1:31.416 | 1:34.386 | 1:31.416 | — |
| 10 | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:31.586 | 1:32.422 | 1:31.586 | — |
| 11 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 1:32.336 | 1:33.700 | 1:32.336 | — |
| 12 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | 1:32.452 | 1:32.639 | 1:32.452 | — |
| 13 | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | 1:32.628 | 1:43.913 | 1:32.628 | — |
| 14 | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | 1:33.644 | 1:34.383 | 1:33.644 | — |
| 15 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 1:33.777 | 1:34.014 | 1:33.777 | — |
| 16 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 1:34.398 | 1:33.895 | 1:33.895 | — |
| 17 | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | 1:34.297 | 1:34.476 | 1:34.297 | — |
| 18 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 1:34.950 | 1:34.426 | 1:34.426 | — |
| 19 | 25 | René Arnoux | Ligier | 1:35.346 | 1:34.518 | 1:34.518 | — |
| 20 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | 1:34.796 | 1:34.770 | 1:34.770 | — |
| 21 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | 1:36.693 | 1:35.594 | 1:35.594 | — |
| 22 | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | 1:35.754 | 1:35.818 | 1:35.754 | — |
| 23 | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | 1:35.930 | 1:36.371 | 1:35.930 | — |
| 24 | 23 | Adrián Campos | Minardi | 1:36.067 | 1:37.948 | 1:36.067 | — |
| 25 | 26 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Ligier | 1:36.411 | 1:36.109 | 1:36.109 | — |
| 26 | 14 | Pascal Fabre | AGS | 1:38.803 | 1:37.730 | 1:37.730 | — |
Sunday warm-up
Nigel Mansell again looked strong in the warm-up, comfortably ahead of Gerhard Berger and Michele Alboreto. Alain Prost was less satisfied with his engine, prompting work on the McLaren’s electronics before the race. Gerhard Berger continued to feel unwell and Derek Warwick was struggling with eye trouble, but both prepared to start in the heat.
Warm-up Classification
1987 Hungarian Grand Prix Warm-up, 9 August 1987
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 1:31.719 | — |
| 2 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | +1.163s | — |
| 3 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | +2.030s | — |
| 4 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | +2.586s | — |
| 5 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | +2.753s | — |
| 6 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | +3.033s | — |
| 7 | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | +3.293s | — |
| 8 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | +3.376s | — |
| 9 | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | +4.213s | — |
| 10 | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | +4.466s | — |
| 11 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | +4.526s | — |
| 12 | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | +4.740s | — |
| 13 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | +4.750s | — |
| 14 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | +5.060s | — |
| 15 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | +5.086s | — |
| 16 | 25 | Rene Arnoux | Ligier | +5.276s | — |
| 17 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | +5.436s | — |
| 18 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | +5.723s | — |
| 19 | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | +6.040s | — |
| 20 | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | +6.266s | — |
| 21 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | +6.360s | — |
| 22 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | +6.400s | — |
| 23 | 26 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Ligier | +7.090s | — |
| 24 | 14 | Pascal Fabre | AGS | +7.143s | — |
| 25 | 23 | Adrian Campos | Minardi | +7.670s | — |
| 26 | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | +35.123s | — |
What happened in the 1987 Hungarian Grand Prix?
Nigel Mansell led from the start and steadily built an advantage. Gerhard Berger’s challenge ended with mechanical trouble, leaving Nelson Piquet to pursue his team-mate. The leading Williams appeared well placed to deliver another victory for Nigel Mansell.
With only a few laps remaining, a wheel nut came loose and Nigel Mansell was forced to retire. Nelson Piquet inherited the lead and took full advantage. Behind him, Ayrton Senna resisted the challenge from Thierry Boutsen, whose loss of turbo pressure helped Alain Prost reach the podium.
Nelson Piquet won from Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, with Thierry Boutsen fourth, Riccardo Patrese fifth and Derek Warwick sixth despite his difficult weekend. Jonathan Palmer led the naturally aspirated runners in seventh. The result increased Nelson Piquet’s championship lead and left Nigel Mansell facing another costly missed opportunity.
After the race, Nelson Piquet headed the drivers’ standings with 48 points, followed by Ayrton Senna on 41. Williams – Honda led the constructors’ table on 78, with McLaren – TAG on 49.
1987 Hungarian Grand Prix race results
The 1987 Hungarian Grand Prix was held on 9 August 1987.
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Laps | Time / Retired | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | 76 | 1:59:26.793 | 9 |
| 2 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 76 | + 37.727 | 6 |
| 3 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 76 | + 1:27.456 | 4 |
| 4 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | 75 | + 1 lap | 3 |
| 5 | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 75 | + 1 lap | 2 |
| 6 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 74 | + 2 laps | 1 |
| 7 (1) | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 74 | + 2 laps | 0 |
| 8 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 74 | + 2 laps | 0 |
| 9 (2) | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | 74 | + 2 laps | 0 |
| 10 (3) | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 74 | + 2 laps | 0 |
| 11 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | 73 | + 3 laps | 0 |
| 12 | 26 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Ligier | 73 | + 3 laps | 0 |
| 13 (4) | 14 | Pascal Fabre | AGS | 71 | + 5 laps | 0 |
| 14 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 70 | Wheel | 0 |
| Ret | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | 64 | Fuel system | 0 |
| Ret | 25 | René Arnoux | Ligier | 57 | Electrical | 0 |
| Ret | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 48 | Accident | 0 |
| Ret | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | 45 | Turbo | 0 |
| Ret | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 43 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | 43 | Gearbox | 0 |
| Ret | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | 14 | Gearbox | 0 |
| Ret | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | 14 | Gearbox | 0 |
| Ret | 23 | Adrián Campos | Minardi | 14 | Spun off | 0 |
| Ret | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 13 | Differential | 0 |
| Ret | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | 3 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | 1 | Driveshaft | 0 |
1987 Hungarian Grand Prix Fastest Laps
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | 63 | 1:30.149 |
| 2 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 65 | 1:30.298 |
| 3 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 57 | 1:31.602 |
| 4 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 43 | 1:32.426 |
| 5 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | 39 | 1:32.524 |
| 6 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 68 | 1:32.603 |
| 7 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 39 | 1:32.679 |
| 8 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 12 | 1:33.826 |
| 9 | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | 34 | 1:34.039 |
| 10 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 53 | 1:34.163 |
| 11 | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 42 | 1:34.387 |
| 12 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | 70 | 1:34.519 |
| 13 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 61 | 1:34.824 |
| 14 | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | 14 | 1:34.843 |
| 15 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 70 | 1:34.926 |
| 16 | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | 62 | 1:35.069 |
| 17 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | 14 | 1:35.210 |
| 18 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 47 | 1:35.210 |
| 19 | 14 | Pascal Fabre | AGS | 61 | 1:36.043 |
| 20 | 26 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Ligier | 53 | 1:36.045 |
| 21 | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | 41 | 1:36.195 |
| 22 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | 18 | 1:37.046 |
| 23 | 25 | Rene Arnoux | Ligier | 17 | 1:37.169 |
| 24 | 23 | Adrian Campos | Minardi | 13 | 1:39.486 |
| 25 | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | 3 | 1:39.650 |
| 26 | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | 1 | 2:30.651 |
Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.
1987 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings
Championship standings after the 1987 Hungarian Grand Prix.
1987 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
| POS | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brazilian | Williams | 48 |
| 2 | Ayrton Senna | Brazilian | Lotus | 41 |
| 3 | Nigel Mansell | British | Williams | 30 |
| 4 | Alain Prost | French | McLaren | 30 |
| 5 | Stefan Johansson | Swedish | McLaren | 19 |
| 6 | Gerhard Berger | Austrian | Ferrari | 9 |
| 7 | Michele Alboreto | Italian | Ferrari | 8 |
| 8 | Satoru Nakajima | Japanese | Lotus | 6 |
| 9 | Thierry Boutsen | Belgian | Benetton | 5 |
| 10 | Andrea de Cesaris | Italian | Brabham | 4 |
| 11 | Philippe Streiff | French | Tyrrell | 4 |
| 12 | Eddie Cheever | American | Arrows | 4 |
| 13 | Jonathan Palmer | British | Tyrrell | 4 |
| 14 | Teo Fabi | Italian | Benetton | 3 |
| 15 | Derek Warwick | British | Arrows | 3 |
| 16 | Martin Brundle | British | Zakspeed | 2 |
| 17 | Riccardo Patrese | Italian | Brabham | 2 |
| 18 | Philippe Alliot | French | Lola | 1 |
| 19 | René Arnoux | French | Ligier | 1 |
| 20 | Ivan Capelli | Italian | March | 1 |
| – | Christian Danner | German | Zakspeed | 0 |
| – | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Italian | Ligier | 0 |
| – | Pascal Fabre | French | AGS | 0 |
| – | Alessandro Nannini | Italian | Minardi | 0 |
| – | Alex Caffi | Italian | Osella | 0 |
| – | Adrián Campos | Spanish | Minardi | 0 |
| – | Gabriele Tarquini | Italian | Osella | 0 |
1987 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Williams – Honda | 78 |
| 2 | McLaren – TAG | 49 |
| 3 | Lotus – Honda | 47 |
| 4 | Ferrari | 17 |
| 5 | Benetton – Ford | 8 |
| 6 | Tyrrell – Ford | 8 |
| 7 | Arrows – Megatron | 7 |
| 8 | Brabham – BMW | 6 |
| 9 | Zakspeed | 2 |
| 10 | Ligier – Megatron | 1 |
| 11 | March – Ford | 1 |
| 12 | Lola – Ford | 1 |
| — | Minardi – Motori Moderni | 0 |
| — | Osella – Alfa Romeo | 0 |
| — | AGS – Ford | 0 |
Jim Clark Trophy standings
| Pos. | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Palmer | 57 |
| 2 | Philippe Streiff | 45 |
| 3 | Pascal Fabre | 35 |
| 4 | Philippe Alliot | 19 |
| 5 | Ivan Capelli | 10 |
Colin Chapman Trophy standings
The naturally aspirated cars also competed for the Jim Clark and Colin Chapman trophies. These separate totals count every round; bracketed positions in the race results show the naturally aspirated finishing order.
Drivers counted their best eleven results; constructors counted every round. The standings here show the position after this race.
1987 Formula 1 Race Calendar
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