Nelson Piquet won the 1987 Italian Grand Prix on Williams’s first race outing with active suspension. Ayrton Senna’s attempt to complete the race without changing tyres came close to success, but a late mistake allowed Nelson Piquet through at Autodromo Nazionale di Monza.
Race Guide
Season: 1987 F1 World Championship
Race date: 6 September 1987
Race start time: Start time unconfirmed local time (UTC+02:00)
Circuit: Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
Laps: 50 laps
Circuit length: 5.800 km
1986 winner: Nelson Piquet
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Nelson Piquet | Williams |
| Pole time | 1:23.460 | |
| Fastest lap | Ayrton Senna | Lotus |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:26.796 on lap 49 | |
| First | Nelson Piquet | Williams |
| Second | Ayrton Senna | Lotus |
| Third | Nigel Mansell | Williams |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 4 September 1987 | Practice 1 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 4 September 1987 | Qualifying 1 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 5 September 1987 | Practice 2 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 5 September 1987 | Qualifying 2 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 6 September 1987 | Warm-up | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 6 September 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 11 leading the 1987 F1 World Championship on 54 points, with Ayrton Senna on 43. Williams – Honda headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 93 points.
Race entries
Coloni entered Formula 1 with Nicola Larini, while Franco Forini joined Alex Caffi at Osella. Their arrival increased the entry to 28 cars. Nicola Larini and Pascal Fabre failed to qualify, while Franco Forini secured the final place on the grid.
Friday Free Practice
Nelson Piquet began the weekend with Williams’s new hydraulic suspension after an extensive testing programme. Its competitive debut gave the team a major technical storyline alongside the battle with Ferrari on home ground. The high-speed circuit rewarded both power and stable behaviour under braking, with Williams quickly looking formidable.
Friday Qualifying
Nigel Mansell headed Friday’s session from Nelson Piquet and Gerhard Berger. The Williams drivers were closely matched, while Ferrari’s pace kept the home crowd interested in the contest for the front rows.
Friday Qualifying Classification
1987 Italian Grand Prix first qualifying session, 4 September 1987
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 1:24.350 | — |
| 2 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | 1:24.617 | — |
| 3 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 1:25.211 | — |
| 4 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | 1:25.250 | — |
| 5 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:25.290 | — |
| 6 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:25.340 | — |
| 7 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 1:25.535 | — |
| 8 | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:26.453 | — |
| 9 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | 1:26.894 | — |
| 10 | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | 1:27.420 | — |
| 11 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 1:27.543 | — |
| 12 | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | 1:28.463 | — |
| 13 | 25 | Rene Arnoux | Ligier | 1:28.946 | — |
| 14 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 1:29.273 | — |
| 15 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | 1:29.738 | — |
| 16 | 26 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Ligier | 1:29.898 | — |
| 17 | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | 1:30.144 | — |
| 18 | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | 1:30.389 | — |
| 19 | 23 | Adrian Campos | Minardi | 1:31.094 | — |
| 20 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | 1:32.768 | — |
| 21 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 1:34.205 | — |
| 22 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 1:34.218 | — |
| 23 | 22 | Franco Forini | Osella | 1:34.467 | — |
| 24 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 1:34.748 | — |
| 25 | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | 1:34.760 | — |
| 26 | 32 | Nicola Larini | Coloni | 1:38.460 | — |
| 27 | 14 | Pascal Fabre | AGS | 1:39.393 | — |
| 28 | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | 1:40.285 | — |
Saturday Free Practice
A gearbox failure interrupted Nelson Piquet’s Saturday morning and briefly sent him into the conventionally sprung spare car. The active-suspension Williams was repaired in time to continue. Ligier, meanwhile, limited its running to conserve a dwindling supply of engines, a very different set of priorities from those at the front.
Saturday Qualifying
Nelson Piquet improved to 1:23.460 on Saturday, beating Nigel Mansell by less than a tenth. Gerhard Berger also broke into the 1:23s for third, ahead of Ayrton Senna. Nicola Larini’s debut ended outside the qualifying places, while Franco Forini made the grid in 26th.
Saturday Qualifying Classification
1987 Italian Grand Prix second qualifying session, 5 September 1987
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | 1:23.460 | — |
| 2 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 1:23.559 | — |
| 3 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 1:23.933 | — |
| 4 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 1:24.907 | — |
| 5 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:24.946 | — |
| 6 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | 1:25.004 | — |
| 7 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | 1:25.020 | — |
| 8 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:25.247 | — |
| 9 | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:25.525 | — |
| 10 | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | 1:26.802 | — |
| 11 | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | 1:27.031 | — |
| 12 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 1:28.022 | — |
| 13 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 1:28.083 | — |
| 14 | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | 1:28.160 | — |
| 15 | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | 1:29.465 | — |
| 16 | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | 1:29.725 | — |
| 17 | 23 | Adrian Campos | Minardi | 1:30.782 | — |
| 18 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | 1:31.029 | — |
| 19 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | 1:31.069 | — |
| 20 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 1:33.028 | — |
| 21 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 1:33.170 | — |
| 22 | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | 1:33.264 | — |
| 23 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 1:33.311 | — |
| 24 | 22 | Franco Forini | Osella | 1:33.816 | — |
| 25 | 32 | Nicola Larini | Coloni | 1:35.721 | — |
| 26 | 14 | Pascal Fabre | AGS | 1:36.679 | — |
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 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | 1:24.617 | 1:23.460 | 1:23.460 | — |
| 2 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 1:24.350 | 1:23.559 | 1:23.559 | — |
| 3 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 1:25.211 | 1:23.933 | 1:23.933 | — |
| 4 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 1:25.535 | 1:24.907 | 1:24.907 | — |
| 5 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:25.340 | 1:24.946 | 1:24.946 | — |
| 6 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | 1:25.250 | 1:25.004 | 1:25.004 | — |
| 7 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | 1:26.894 | 1:25.020 | 1:25.020 | — |
| 8 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 1:25.290 | 1:25.247 | 1:25.247 | — |
| 9 | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 1:26.453 | 1:25.525 | 1:25.525 | — |
| 10 | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | 1:40.285 | 1:26.802 | 1:26.802 | — |
| 11 | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | 1:27.420 | 1:27.031 | 1:27.031 | — |
| 12 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 1:27.543 | 1:28.083 | 1:27.543 | — |
| 13 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 1:29.273 | 1:28.022 | 1:28.022 | — |
| 14 | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | 1:28.463 | 1:28.160 | 1:28.160 | — |
| 15 | 25 | René Arnoux | Ligier | 1:28.946 | no time | 1:28.946 | — |
| 16 | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | 1:30.389 | 1:29.465 | 1:29.465 | — |
| 17 | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | 1:30.144 | 1:29.725 | 1:29.725 | — |
| 18 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | 1:29.738 | 1:31.069 | 1:29.738 | — |
| 19 | 26 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Ligier | 1:29.898 | no time | 1:29.898 | — |
| 20 | 23 | Adrián Campos | Minardi | 1:31.094 | 1:30.782 | 1:30.782 | — |
| 21 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | 1:32.768 | 1:31.029 | 1:31.029 | — |
| 22 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 1:34.218 | 1:33.028 | 1:33.028 | — |
| 23 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 1:34.748 | 1:33.170 | 1:33.170 | — |
| 24 | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | 1:34.760 | 1:33.264 | 1:33.264 | — |
| 25 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 1:34.205 | 1:33.311 | 1:33.311 | — |
| 26 | 22 | Franco Forini | Osella | 1:34.467 | 1:33.816 | 1:33.816 | — |
| DNQ | 32 | Nicola Larini | Coloni | 1:38.460 | 1:35.721 | 1:35.721 | — |
| DNQ | 14 | Pascal Fabre | AGS | 1:39.393 | 1:36.679 | 1:36.679 | — |
Sunday warm-up
Nigel Mansell was fastest in the warm-up ahead of Nelson Piquet, with Ayrton Senna third. Attention remained on how the new Williams suspension would perform over a full race distance. Gerhard Berger faced clutch trouble and prepared to use the spare Ferrari, while the home team hoped to turn its strong qualifying into a podium.
Warm-up Classification
1987 Italian Grand Prix Warm-up, 6 September 1987
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 1:28.285 | — |
| 2 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | +0.490s | — |
| 3 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | +1.020s | — |
| 4 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | +1.210s | — |
| 5 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | +1.460s | — |
| 6 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | +1.726s | — |
| 7 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | +1.840s | — |
| 8 | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | +2.020s | — |
| 9 | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | +2.353s | — |
| 10 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | +3.340s | — |
| 11 | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | +3.420s | — |
| 12 | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | +3.793s | — |
| 13 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | +3.963s | — |
| 14 | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | +4.356s | — |
| 15 | 26 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Ligier | +4.546s | — |
| 16 | 25 | Rene Arnoux | Ligier | +4.920s | — |
| 17 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | +5.126s | — |
| 18 | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | +6.146s | — |
| 19 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | +7.200s | — |
| 20 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | +7.240s | — |
| 21 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | +7.246s | — |
| 22 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | +7.430s | — |
| 23 | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | +7.523s | — |
| 24 | 23 | Adrian Campos | Minardi | +8.680s | — |
| 25 | 22 | Franco Forini | Osella | +9.080s | — |
| 26 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | +9.160s | — |
What happened in the 1987 Italian Grand Prix?
An aborted start reduced the race by one lap. Nelson Piquet emerged in front when racing began, while Nigel Mansell lost ground and Thierry Boutsen joined the leading battle. Alain Prost’s McLaren soon required lengthy attention in the pits, ending his hopes of victory.
Ayrton Senna stayed out when the other leaders changed tyres and took the lead. Nelson Piquet closed on fresh rubber as Nigel Mansell’s challenge faded. Ayrton Senna then ran wide while negotiating traffic, allowing the Williams through and leaving him to chase rather than defend.
Nelson Piquet held on to win by 1.806 seconds from Ayrton Senna, with Nigel Mansell third. Gerhard Berger finished fourth ahead of Thierry Boutsen and Stefan Johansson. The victory strengthened Nelson Piquet’s championship position and gave Williams an immediate return from its new suspension system.
After the race, Nelson Piquet headed the drivers’ standings with 63 points, followed by Ayrton Senna on 49. Williams – Honda led the constructors’ table on 106, with Lotus – Honda on 55.
1987 Italian Grand Prix race results
The 1987 Italian Grand Prix was held on 6 September 1987.
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Laps | Time / Retired | Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | 50 | 1:14:47.707 | 9 |
| 2 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 50 | + 1.806 | 6 |
| 3 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 50 | + 49.036 | 4 |
| 4 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 50 | + 57.979 | 3 |
| 5 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | 50 | + 1:21.319 | 2 |
| 6 | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | 50 | + 1:28.787 | 1 |
| 7 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | 49 | + 1 lap | 0 |
| 8 | 26 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Ligier | 48 | + 2 laps | 0 |
| 9 | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | 48 | + 2 laps | 0 |
| 10 | 25 | René Arnoux | Ligier | 48 | + 2 laps | 0 |
| 11 | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | 47 | + 3 laps | 0 |
| 12 (1) | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | 47 | + 3 laps | 0 |
| 13 (2) | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 47 | + 3 laps | 0 |
| 14 (3) | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 47 | + 3 laps | 0 |
| 15 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 46 | + 4 laps | 0 |
| 16 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | 45 | + 5 laps | 0 |
| Ret | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | 43 | Gearbox | 0 |
| Ret | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 37 | Spun off | 0 |
| Ret | 23 | Adrián Campos | Minardi | 34 | Engine | 0 |
| Ret | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 27 | Halfshaft | 0 |
| Ret | 22 | Franco Forini | Osella | 27 | Turbo | 0 |
| Ret | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | 16 | Suspension | 0 |
| Ret | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 13 | Turbo | 0 |
| Ret | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 9 | Electrical | 0 |
| Ret | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | 7 | Suspension | 0 |
| Ret | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 5 | Engine | 0 |
1987 Italian Grand Prix Fastest Laps
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Ayrton Senna | Lotus | 49 | 1:26.796 |
| 2 | 6 | Nelson Piquet | Williams | 49 | 1:26.858 |
| 3 | 1 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 37 | 1:26.882 |
| 4 | 5 | Nigel Mansell | Williams | 23 | 1:27.496 |
| 5 | 2 | Stefan Johansson | McLaren | 42 | 1:28.468 |
| 6 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 27 | 1:28.519 |
| 7 | 19 | Teo Fabi | Benetton | 37 | 1:28.723 |
| 8 | 20 | Thierry Boutsen | Benetton | 26 | 1:28.725 |
| 9 | 27 | Michele Alboreto | Ferrari | 10 | 1:30.124 |
| 10 | 8 | Andrea de Cesaris | Brabham | 4 | 1:31.279 |
| 11 | 25 | Rene Arnoux | Ligier | 40 | 1:31.335 |
| 12 | 7 | Riccardo Patrese | Brabham | 4 | 1:31.497 |
| 13 | 10 | Christian Danner | Zakspeed | 47 | 1:31.636 |
| 14 | 11 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | 37 | 1:31.849 |
| 15 | 26 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Ligier | 35 | 1:32.488 |
| 16 | 24 | Alessandro Nannini | Minardi | 40 | 1:32.588 |
| 17 | 9 | Martin Brundle | Zakspeed | 24 | 1:32.663 |
| 18 | 18 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 18 | 1:32.820 |
| 19 | 17 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 7 | 1:33.180 |
| 20 | 23 | Adrian Campos | Minardi | 34 | 1:33.629 |
| 21 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Osella | 15 | 1:34.187 |
| 22 | 4 | Philippe Streiff | Tyrrell | 32 | 1:34.722 |
| 23 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 36 | 1:34.912 |
| 24 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 37 | 1:35.154 |
| 25 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 34 | 1:35.266 |
| 26 | 22 | Franco Forini | Osella | 26 | 1:37.964 |
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 Italian Grand Prix.
1987 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
| POS | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nelson Piquet | Brazilian | Williams | 63 |
| 2 | Ayrton Senna | Brazilian | Lotus | 49 |
| 3 | Nigel Mansell | British | Williams | 43 |
| 4 | Alain Prost | French | McLaren | 31 |
| 5 | Stefan Johansson | Swedish | McLaren | 20 |
| 6 | Gerhard Berger | Austrian | Ferrari | 12 |
| 7 | Thierry Boutsen | Belgian | Benetton | 10 |
| 8 | Michele Alboreto | Italian | Ferrari | 8 |
| 9 | Teo Fabi | Italian | Benetton | 7 |
| 10 | Satoru Nakajima | Japanese | Lotus | 6 |
| 11 | Andrea de Cesaris | Italian | Brabham | 4 |
| 12 | Philippe Streiff | French | Tyrrell | 4 |
| 13 | Eddie Cheever | American | Arrows | 4 |
| 14 | Jonathan Palmer | British | Tyrrell | 4 |
| 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 |
| – | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Italian | Ligier | 0 |
| – | Christian Danner | German | Zakspeed | 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 |
| – | Franco Forini | Swiss | Osella | 0 |
1987 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Williams – Honda | 106 |
| 2 | Lotus – Honda | 55 |
| 3 | McLaren – TAG | 51 |
| 4 | Ferrari | 20 |
| 5 | Benetton – Ford | 17 |
| 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 | 65 |
| 2 | Philippe Streiff | 54 |
| 3 | Pascal Fabre | 35 |
| 4 | Ivan Capelli | 25 |
| 5 | Philippe Alliot | 25 |
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
Seen in:
