Thierry Boutsen claimed his first Formula 1 victory in a rain-soaked 1989 Canadian Grand Prix, heading Riccardo Patrese in a Williams one-two. Ayrton Senna had looked set to win until his engine failed near the finish. Andrea de Cesaris completed the podium after a race in which changing conditions repeatedly overturned the running order.
Race Guide
Season: 1989 F1 World Championship
Race date: 18 June 1989
Race start time: Start time unconfirmed local time (UTC-04:00)
Circuit: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
Laps: 69 laps
Circuit length: 4.390 km
1988 winner: Ayrton Senna
| Result | Driver / Time | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Pole position | Alain Prost | McLaren |
| Pole time | 1:20.973 | |
| Fastest lap | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell |
| Fastest-lap time | 1:31.925 on lap 11 | |
| First | Thierry Boutsen | Williams |
| Second | Riccardo Patrese | Williams |
| Third | Andrea de Cesaris | Dallara |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 16 June 1989 | Pre-qualifying | Start time unconfirmed |
| 16 June 1989 | Practice 1 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 16 June 1989 | Qualifying 1 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 17 June 1989 | Practice 2 | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 17 June 1989 | Qualifying 2 | Start time unconfirmed |
| 18 June 1989 | Warm-up | Morning; start unconfirmed |
| 18 June 1989 | Race | Start time unconfirmed |
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 6 leading the 1989 F1 World Championship on 29 points, with Ayrton Senna on 27. McLaren – Honda headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 56 points.
Race entries
The driver line-ups were unchanged from Phoenix. Coloni introduced its new FC189 for Roberto Moreno, bringing a more promising car but almost no preparation time. Alain Prost also had a fresh McLaren chassis following his Phoenix accident. At the smaller teams, the approaching mid-season pre-qualifying review made every chance of points increasingly valuable.
Pre-qualifying
Stefano Modena was comfortably fastest, ahead of Nicola Larini, Stefan Johansson and Alex Caffi. Martin Brundle failed to progress for the first time that season after mechanical trouble. Gregor Foitek suffered a major accident in the EuroBrun but escaped serious injury. The result left Brabham with only Stefano Modena to carry its hopes into the main sessions.
Pre-qualifying Classification
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Stefano Modena | Brabham | 1:23.398 | — |
| 2 | 17 | Nicola Larini | Osella | 1:24.550 | +1.152 |
| 3 | 36 | Stefan Johansson | Onyx | 1:24.764 | +1.366 |
| 4 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Dallara | 1:24.778 | +1.380 |
| 5 | 7 | Martin Brundle | Brabham | 1:25.275 | +1.877 |
| 6 | 37 | Bertrand Gachot | Onyx | 1.25.952 | +2.554 |
| 7 | 33 | Gregor Foitek | EuroBrun | 1:26.365 | +2.967 |
| 8 | 18 | Piercarlo Ghinzani | Osella | 1:26.807 | +3.409 |
| 9 | 34 | Bernd Schneider | Zakspeed | 1:27.073 | +3.675 |
| 10 | 41 | Joachim Winkelhock | AGS | 1:28.545 | +5.147 |
| 11 | 39 | Volker Weidler | Rial | 1:31.455 | +8.057 |
| 12 | 35 | Aguri Suzuki | Zakspeed | 1:53.327 | +29.929 |
| 13 | 32 | Pierre-Henri Raphanel | Coloni | 1:59.693 | +36.295 |
Friday Free Practice
Ayrton Senna led Friday practice from Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell, but Coloni‘s new car provided a very different story at the other end of the field. Roberto Moreno was effectively beginning its development programme during the Grand Prix weekend, with the FC189 having done no running before Friday. Benetton also struggled for balance. The session therefore mixed familiar speed at the front with urgent troubleshooting for drivers whose place on the grid was far from secure.
Friday Practice Classification
1989 Canadian Grand Prix Practice, 16 June 1989
Friday Qualifying
Alain Prost ended Ayrton Senna‘s run of poles with a superb Friday lap of 1:20.973, only 0.076 seconds ahead of his team-mate. Riccardo Patrese was third. Alain Prost‘s confidence in the car had returned, and the opening session ultimately supplied almost all the important times for the grid.
Friday Qualifying Classification
1989 Canadian Grand Prix first qualifying session, 16 June 1989
Saturday Free Practice
Gerhard Berger headed Saturday practice, narrowly ahead of Ayrton Senna. The colder, windy conditions made the second day a less straightforward opportunity to improve, and the Ferrari‘s pace was encouraging after several weekends dominated by reliability concerns. McLaren remained close, with Alain Prost third. For those still searching for balance—including the Benetton drivers—the changing weather offered little continuity from Friday and increased the importance of making every useful lap count.
Saturday Practice Classification
1989 Canadian Grand Prix Practice, 17 June 1989
Saturday Qualifying
Ayrton Senna headed Saturday qualifying but could not better Alain Prost‘s Friday benchmark. Wind and intermittent wet weather limited improvements, leaving Alain Prost on pole ahead of Ayrton Senna, Riccardo Patrese and Gerhard Berger. Stefano Modena qualified seventh. Johnny Herbert failed to qualify after struggling with the Benetton‘s balance, while Roberto Moreno squeezed the new Coloni onto the back row.
Saturday Qualifying Classification
1989 Canadian Grand Prix second qualifying session, 17 June 1989
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 | 2 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1:20.973 | 1:22.269 | 1:20.973 | — |
| 2 | 1 | Ayrton Senna | McLaren | 1:21.049 | 1:21.269 | 1:21.049 | — |
| 3 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Williams | 1:21.783 | 1:23.738 | 1:21.783 | — |
| 4 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 1:21.946 | 1:22.305 | 1:21.946 | — |
| 5 | 27 | Nigel Mansell | Ferrari | 1:22.165 | 1:22.751 | 1:22.165 | — |
| 6 | 5 | Thierry Boutsen | Williams | 1:22.311 | 1:24.004 | 1:22.311 | — |
| 7 | 8 | Stefano Modena | Brabham | 1:22.612 | 1:23.599 | 1:23.398 | — |
| 8 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Dallara | 1:22.901 | 1:24.957 | 1:24.778 | — |
| 9 | 22 | Andrea de Cesaris | Dallara | 1:23.050 | 1:24.444 | 1:23.050 | — |
| 10 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 1:23.059 | — | 1:23.059 | — |
| 11 | 23 | Pierluigi Martini | Minardi | 1:23.252 | 1:25.195 | 1:23.252 | — |
| 12 | 9 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 1:23.348 | 1:23.833 | 1:23.348 | — |
| 13 | 19 | Alessandro Nannini | Benetton | 1:23.542 | 1:24.279 | 1:23.542 | — |
| 14 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 1:23.665 | 1:23.876 | 1:23.665 | — |
| 15 | 17 | Nicola Larini | Osella | 1:23.799 | 1:25.289 | 1:24.550 | — |
| 16 | 10 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 1:23.828 | 1:24.693 | 1:23.828 | — |
| 17 | 15 | Maurício Gugelmin | March | 1:23.863 | 1:24.734 | 1:23.863 | — |
| 18 | 36 | Stefan Johansson | Onyx | 1:23.979 | 1:24.918 | 1:24.764 | — |
| 19 | 11 | Nelson Piquet | Lotus | 1:24.029 | 1:25.825 | 1:24.029 | — |
| 20 | 4 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | 1:24.296 | 1:25.412 | 1:24.296 | — |
| 21 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 1:24.406 | 1:25.094 | 1:24.406 | — |
| 22 | 25 | René Arnoux | Ligier | 1:24.558 | 1:25.394 | 1:24.558 | — |
| 23 | 38 | Christian Danner | Rial | 1:25.298 | 1:24.727 | 1:24.727 | — |
| 24 | 24 | Luis Pérez-Sala | Minardi | 1:24.786 | 1:25.570 | 1:24.786 | — |
| 25 | 40 | Gabriele Tarquini | AGS | 1:24.793 | 1:25.246 | 1:24.793 | — |
| 26 | 31 | Roberto Moreno | Coloni | 47:24.470 | 1:25.037 | 1:25.037 | — |
| 27 | 12 | Satoru Nakajima | Lotus | 1:25.051 | 1:26.358 | 1:25.051 | — |
| 28 | 29 | Yannick Dalmas | Lola | 1:25.317 | 1:25.161 | 1:25.161 | — |
| 29 | 20 | Johnny Herbert | Benetton | 1:25.335 | 1:25.282 | 1:25.282 | — |
| 30 | 26 | Olivier Grouillard | Ligier | 1:25.382 | 1:25.289 | 1:25.289 | — |
Sunday warm-up
Heavy rain made Sunday’s warm-up a much tougher test than the earlier dry running. Nigel Mansell set the fastest time, just ahead of Thierry Boutsen, while several drivers went off, including Gerhard Berger, Michele Alboreto, Christian Danner and Ivan Capelli. The slippery surface gave the field an immediate warning about the race to come. Finding traction was only part of the challenge: teams would also have to judge whether any break in the rain justified changing to slick tyres.
Warm-up Classification
1989 Canadian Grand Prix Warm-up, 18 June 1989
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 | Nigel Mansell | Ferrari | 1:45.416 | — |
| 2 | 5 | Thierry Boutsen | Williams | +0.041s | — |
| 3 | 2 | Alain Prost | McLaren | +1.636s | — |
| 4 | 1 | Ayrton Senna | McLaren | +1.733s | — |
| 5 | 31 | Roberto Moreno | Coloni | +2.453s | — |
| 6 | 11 | Nelson Piquet | Lotus | +2.524s | — |
| 7 | 8 | Stefano Modena | Brabham | +2.559s | — |
| 8 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | +2.572s | — |
| 9 | 19 | Alessandro Nannini | Benetton | +2.588s | — |
| 10 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | +2.696s | — |
| 11 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Williams | +2.933s | — |
| 12 | 22 | Andrea de Cesaris | Dallara | +3.316s | — |
| 13 | 23 | Pierluigi Martini | Minardi | +3.569s | — |
| 14 | 17 | Nicola Larini | Osella | +4.323s | — |
| 15 | 9 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | +4.654s | — |
| 16 | 25 | Rene Arnoux | Ligier | +4.812s | — |
| 17 | 15 | Mauricio Gugelmin | March | +5.240s | — |
| 18 | 40 | Gabriele Tarquini | AGS | +5.339s | — |
| 19 | 10 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | +6.236s | — |
| 20 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Dallara | +6.266s | — |
| 21 | 36 | Stefan Johansson | Onyx | +6.419s | — |
| 22 | 24 | Luis Perez-Sala | Minardi | +6.993s | — |
| 23 | 38 | Christian Danner | Rial | +10.674s | — |
| 24 | 4 | Michele Alboreto | Tyrrell | +17.792s | — |
| 25 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | +21.672s | — |
| 26 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | +53.402s | — |
What happened in the 1989 Canadian Grand Prix?
An aborted start reduced the race to 69 laps. Nigel Mansell and Alessandro Nannini switched to slicks but left the pit lane before the field had been released, earning disqualification. Alain Prost retired early with suspension trouble, and the changing weather shuffled the order as drivers alternated between wet and dry tyres. Riccardo Patrese, Derek Warwick and Ayrton Senna each led.
Nicola Larini briefly ran third for Osella before electrical trouble ended his challenge. Derek Warwick also retired after leading, leaving Ayrton Senna in command. Thierry Boutsen recovered from tyre stops and a spin, then passed Riccardo Patrese, whose loose diffuser was compromising the Williams. When Ayrton Senna‘s engine failed near the finish, Thierry Boutsen suddenly found himself leading.
Thierry Boutsen brought the Williams home for his maiden win, with Riccardo Patrese completing the team’s first one-two of its Renault partnership. Andrea de Cesaris finished third, Nelson Piquet fourth and René Rene Arnoux fifth; Alex Caffi made it a double points finish for Dallara in sixth. Jonathan Palmer set the fastest lap before crashing out. On a day of constantly changing fortunes, Thierry Boutsen had combined recovery, persistence and a timely opportunity.
After the race, Alain Prost headed the drivers’ standings with 29 points, followed by Ayrton Senna on 27. McLaren – Honda led the constructors’ table on 56, with Williams – Renault on 31.
1989 Canadian Grand Prix race results
The 1989 Canadian Grand Prix was held on 18 June 1989.
1989 Canadian Grand Prix Fastest Laps
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Lap | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | Jonathan Palmer | Tyrrell | 11 | 1:31.925 |
| 2 | 1 | Ayrton Senna | McLaren | 15 | 1:32.143 |
| 3 | 11 | Nelson Piquet | Lotus | 11 | 1:32.422 |
| 4 | 22 | Andrea de Cesaris | Dallara | 11 | 1:32.481 |
| 5 | 16 | Ivan Capelli | March | 14 | 1:32.742 |
| 6 | 21 | Alex Caffi | Dallara | 15 | 1:33.167 |
| 7 | 5 | Thierry Boutsen | Williams | 14 | 1:33.790 |
| 8 | 15 | Mauricio Gugelmin | March | 11 | 1:34.231 |
| 9 | 24 | Luis Perez-Sala | Minardi | 10 | 1:34.509 |
| 10 | 6 | Riccardo Patrese | Williams | 15 | 1:35.251 |
| 11 | 36 | Stefan Johansson | Onyx | 10 | 1:35.333 |
| 12 | 31 | Roberto Moreno | Coloni | 13 | 1:35.369 |
| 13 | 17 | Nicola Larini | Osella | 11 | 1:35.726 |
| 14 | 38 | Christian Danner | Rial | 11 | 1:35.970 |
| 15 | 9 | Derek Warwick | Arrows | 15 | 1:36.443 |
| 16 | 30 | Philippe Alliot | Lola | 11 | 1:36.687 |
| 17 | 25 | Rene Arnoux | Ligier | 11 | 1:37.131 |
| 18 | 28 | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | 6 | 1:37.916 |
| 19 | 40 | Gabriele Tarquini | AGS | 5 | 1:38.284 |
| 20 | 10 | Eddie Cheever | Arrows | 3 | 1:38.631 |
| 21 | 2 | Alain Prost | McLaren | 1 | 1:41.751 |
Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.
1989 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings
Championship standings after the 1989 Canadian Grand Prix.
1989 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings
1989 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings
| POS | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLaren – Honda | 56 |
| 2 | Williams – Renault | 31 |
| 3 | Benetton – Ford | 13 |
| 4 | Ferrari | 9 |
| 5 | Dallara – Ford | 8 |
| 6 | Arrows – Ford | 8 |
| 7 | Tyrrell – Ford | 7 |
| 8 | Brabham – Judd | 5 |
| 9 | March – Judd | 4 |
| 10 | Lotus – Judd | 3 |
| 11 | Rial – Ford | 3 |
| 12 | Ligier – Ford | 2 |
| 13 | AGS – Ford | 1 |
| — | Lola – Lamborghini | 0 |
| — | Osella – Ford | 0 |
| — | Zakspeed – Yamaha | 0 |
| — | Minardi – Ford | 0 |
| — | EuroBrun – Judd | 0 |
| — | Coloni – Ford | 0 |
| — | Onyx – Ford | 0 |
Drivers counted their best eleven results; constructors counted every round. The standings here show the position after this race.
1989 Formula 1 Race Calendar
Seen in:
