1993 Brazilian Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Ayrton Senna gave his home crowd a race to savour at the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix, mastering a rain-hit afternoon to deliver McLaren‘s 100th Formula 1 victory. Damon Hill earned his first podium in second, with Michael Schumacher fighting back to take third.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Alain Prost	Williams
Pole time	1:15.866
Fastest lap	Michael Schumacher	Benetton
Fastest-lap time	1:20.024 on lap 61
First	Ayrton Senna	McLaren
Second	Damon Hill	Williams
Third	Michael Schumacher	Benetton

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
26 March 1993	Practice 1	Morning; start time unconfirmed
26 March 1993	Qualifying 1	Afternoon; start time unconfirmed
27 March 1993	Practice 2	Morning; start time unconfirmed
27 March 1993	Qualifying 2	Afternoon; start time unconfirmed
28 March 1993	Warm-up	Morning; start time unconfirmed
28 March 1993	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 2 leading the 1993 F1 World Championship on 10 points, with Ayrton Senna on 6. Williams headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 10 points.

Race entries

The same 26 drivers returned, but March‘s withdrawal prompted a change to qualifying. After discussion over a 24-car limit, the teams secured a 25-car grid, leaving one driver to miss the race. Ayrton Senna continued with McLaren while negotiations over his longer-term future remained unresolved.

Friday Free Practice

Alain Prost led Friday morning as the revised timetable restored 90 minutes of free practice. The bumps at Interlagos were a demanding test for the cars’ suspension systems. McLaren arrived with revised active-suspension software, while Scuderia Italia was evaluating changes to the Lola‘s suspension geometry and rear wing after its difficult opening weekend.

Friday Practice Classification

1993 Brazilian Grand Prix Practice, 26 March 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:18.402	—
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	+0.289s	—
3	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+1.431s	—
4	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+1.510s	—
5	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+1.536s	—
6	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+1.685s	—
7	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+1.765s	—
8	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+1.918s	—
9	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+2.087s	—
10	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+2.329s	—
11	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+2.356s	—
12	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+2.362s	—
13	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+2.804s	—
14	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+3.098s	—
15	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+3.149s	—
16	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+3.291s	—
17	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+3.420s	—
18	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	+3.444s	—
19	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+3.785s	—
20	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+3.808s	—
21	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+3.913s	—
22	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	+3.983s	—
23	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+4.052s	—
24	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	+4.286s	—
25	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+4.820s	—
26	15	Ivan Capelli	Jordan	+62.118s	—

Friday Qualifying

Alain Prost headed Friday qualifying by more than a second from Damon Hill, with Ayrton Senna third and Michael Schumacher fourth. Each driver now had a maximum of 12 laps in the hour-long session. Karl Wendlinger put Sauber fifth, ahead of Jean Alesi.

Friday Qualifying Classification

1993 Brazilian Grand Prix first qualifying session, 26 March 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:16.809	12
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:17.856	12
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:18.639	11
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:19.061	12
5	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:19.230	12
6	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:19.260	12
7	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:19.561	8
8	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:19.830	9
9	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:20.057	12
10	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	1:20.061	12
11	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:20.093	12
12	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:20.281	11
13	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:20.388	11
14	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:20.390	12
15	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	1:20.571	11
16	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	1:20.891	8
17	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:20.999	8
18	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:21.224	11
19	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:21.532	12
20	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:21.547	12
21	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:21.752	11
22	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:21.923	12
23	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	1:22.112	12
24	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:22.297	4
25	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:22.938	12
26	15	Ivan Capelli	Jordan	1:23.674	12

Saturday Free Practice

Alain Prost again set the pace on Saturday, with Williams looking considerably stronger than at Kyalami. Ayrton Senna‘s efforts to reduce drag brought a less settled car through the corners, and several midfield teams were struggling for grip over the uneven surface. The work on mechanical balance mattered as much as finding speed along the straights.

Saturday Practice Classification

1993 Brazilian Grand Prix Practice, 27 March 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:16.841	—
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	+0.351s	—
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+1.886s	—
4	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+2.120s	—
5	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+2.551s	—
6	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+2.592s	—
7	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+2.668s	—
8	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+2.674s	—
9	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+2.880s	—
10	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+3.014s	—
11	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+3.095s	—
12	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+3.390s	—
13	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+3.475s	—
14	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+3.687s	—
15	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+3.744s	—
16	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+3.875s	—
17	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+3.883s	—
18	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	+3.916s	—
19	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+3.923s	—
20	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+4.092s	—
21	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+4.648s	—
22	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+4.680s	—
23	15	Ivan Capelli	Jordan	+5.068s	—
24	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	+5.267s	—
25	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+5.379s	—
26	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	+6.563s	—

Saturday Qualifying

Alain Prost improved to 1:15.866 on Saturday and secured pole, with Damon Hill completing an all-Williams front row. Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher shared row two, followed by Michael Andretti and Riccardo Patrese. Ivan Capelli was the sole non-qualifier, bringing his brief spell with Jordan to an unhappy end.

Saturday Qualifying Classification

1993 Brazilian Grand Prix second qualifying session, 27 March 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:15.866	10
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:16.859	9
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:17.697	12
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:17.821	10
5	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:18.635	10
6	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:19.049	11
7	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	1:19.207	12
8	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:19.270	12
9	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:19.296	12
10	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:19.340	10
11	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:19.435	12
12	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:19.549	12
13	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:19.593	11
14	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:19.735	12
15	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	1:19.804	12
16	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:19.835	12
17	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	1:19.868	12
18	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:20.064	11
19	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:20.232	11
20	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:20.716	12
21	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:20.908	11
22	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:20.991	11
23	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	1:21.228	12
24	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:21.368	12
25	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:21.488	9
26	15	Ivan Capelli	Jordan	1:21.789	12

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	Williams	1:16.809	1:15.866	1:15.866	—
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:17.856	1:16.859	1:16.859	—
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:18.639	1:17.697	1:17.697	—
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:19.061	1:17.821	1:17.821	—
5	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:20.093	1:18.635	1:18.635	—
6	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:20.388	1:19.049	1:19.049	—
7	30	JJ Lehto	Sauber	1:20.571	1:19.207	1:19.207	—
8	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:19.230	1:19.270	1:19.230	—
9	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:19.260	1:19.549	1:19.260	—
10	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:20.281	1:19.296	1:19.296	—
11	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:20.057	1:19.340	1:19.340	—
12	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:19.830	1:19.435	1:19.435	—
13	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:19.561	1:19.735	1:19.561	—
14	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:20.999	1:19.593	1:19.593	—
15	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	1:20.891	1:19.804	1:19.804	—
16	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:20.390	1:19.835	1:19.835	—
17	20	Érik Comas	Larrousse	1:20.061	1:19.868	1:19.868	—
18	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:21.532	1:20.064	1:20.064	—
19	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:22.297	1:20.232	1:20.232	—
20	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:21.547	1:20.716	1:20.716	—
21	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:22.938	1:20.908	1:20.908	—
22	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:21.923	1:20.991	1:20.991	—
23	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:21.224	1:21.368	1:21.224	—
24	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	1:22.112	1:21.228	1:21.228	—
25	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:21.752	1:21.488	1:21.488	—
DNQ	15	Ivan Capelli	Jordan	1:23.674	1:21.789	1:21.789	—

Sunday warm-up

Sunday’s warm-up was affected by a shower, giving the teams reason to consider wet-weather settings even though the race would start on a dry track. Alain Prost remained quickest. The changing conditions made the final preparations unusually valuable: an afternoon storm would turn tyre timing and staying on the road into decisive parts of the contest.

Warm-up Classification

1993 Brazilian Grand Prix Warm-up, 28 March 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:19.788	—
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	+1.252s	—
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+1.730s	—
4	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+1.841s	—
5	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+1.973s	—
6	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+1.993s	—
7	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+2.348s	—
8	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+2.354s	—
9	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+2.551s	—
10	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+2.783s	—
11	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+2.784s	—
12	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+3.059s	—
13	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+3.302s	—
14	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+3.470s	—
15	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	+3.522s	—
16	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+3.571s	—
17	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+3.652s	—
18	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+3.787s	—
19	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+4.248s	—
20	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	+4.639s	—
21	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	+4.652s	—
22	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+4.789s	—
23	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+4.984s	—
24	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+6.528s	—
25	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+437.085s	—

What happened in the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix?

Alain Prost led away while Ayrton Senna passed Damon Hill for second. An opening-lap collision eliminated Michael Andretti and Gerhard Berger, and Martin Brundle and Fabrizio Barbazza also retired. Damon Hill subsequently reclaimed second, while a stop-go penalty for passing under yellow flags interrupted Ayrton Senna‘s pursuit.

Heavy rain transformed the race. Alain Prost stayed out on slicks and crashed into Christian Fittipaldi‘s stranded Minardi, while other accidents prompted the safety car. Damon Hill led the regrouped field, but Ayrton Senna judged the subsequent change back to slick tyres well and passed the Williams to take control.

Ayrton Senna pulled clear for a hugely popular home victory. Damon Hill finished second, and Michael Schumacher recovered from delays and a penalty to pass Johnny Herbert for third. Mark Blundell and Alessandro Zanardi completed the points, with the latter scoring his only Formula 1 point. The result put Ayrton Senna ahead of Alain Prost in the championship.

After the race, Ayrton Senna headed the drivers’ standings with 16 points, followed by Alain Prost on 10. Williams led the constructors’ table on 16, with McLaren on 16.

1993 Brazilian Grand Prix race results

The 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix was held on 28 March 1993, with a scheduled start of Start time unconfirmed local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	71	1:51:15.485	10
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	71	+ 16.625	6
3	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	71	+ 45.436	4
4	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	71	+ 46.557	3
5	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	71	+ 52.127	2
6	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	70	+ 1 Lap	1
7	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	70	+ 1 Lap	0
8	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	70	+ 1 Lap	0
9	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	69	+ 2 Laps	0
10	20	Érik Comas	Larrousse	69	+ 2 Laps	0
11	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	68	+ 3 Laps	0
12	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	68	+ 3 Laps	0
Ret	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	61	Engine	0
Ret	30	JJ Lehto	Sauber	52	Electrical	0
Ret	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	48	Fuel system	0
Ret	2	Alain Prost	Williams	29	Collision/Spun off	0
Ret	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	28	Collision/Spun off	0
Ret	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	27	Accident	0
Ret	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	26	Accident	0
Ret	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	13	Gearbox	0
Ret	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	3	Suspension	0
Ret	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	0	Collision	0
Ret	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	0	Collision	0
Ret	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	0	Collision	0
Ret	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	0	Collision	0

1993 Brazilian Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time
1	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	61	1:20.024
2	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	59	1:20.187
3	0	Damon Hill	Williams	53	1:20.794
4	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	56	1:21.235
5	2	Alain Prost	Williams	24	1:21.780
6	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	58	1:22.019
7	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	63	1:22.503
8	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	70	1:22.539
9	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	61	1:22.859
10	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	60	1:23.071
11	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	52	1:23.755
12	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	60	1:23.774
13	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	62	1:23.835
14	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	56	1:23.877
15	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	22	1:24.211
16	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	64	1:24.329
17	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	12	1:24.798
18	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	23	1:25.483
19	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	48	1:26.032
20	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	2	1:26.663
21	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	8	1:26.914

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.

1993 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix.

1993 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Ayrton Senna	Brazilian	McLaren	16
2	Alain Prost	French	Williams	10
3	Damon Hill	British	Williams	6
4	Mark Blundell	British	Ligier	6
5	Michael Schumacher	German	Benetton	4
6	Johnny Herbert	British	Lotus	3
7	Christian Fittipaldi	Brazilian	Minardi	3
8	JJ Lehto	Finnish	Sauber	2
9	Alessandro Zanardi	Italian	Lotus	1
10	Gerhard Berger	Austrian	Ferrari	1
–	Derek Warwick	British	Footwork	0
–	Philippe Alliot	French	Larrousse	0
–	Jean Alesi	French	Ferrari	0
–	Érik Comas	French	Larrousse	0
–	Michele Alboreto	Italian	Lola	0
–	Luca Badoer	Italian	Lola	0
–	Martin Brundle	British	Ligier	0
–	Riccardo Patrese	Italian	Benetton	0
–	Karl Wendlinger	Austrian	Sauber	0
–	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Jordan	0
–	Andrea de Cesaris	Italian	Tyrrell	0
–	Aguri Suzuki	Japanese	Footwork	0
–	Fabrizio Barbazza	Italian	Minardi	0
–	Ukyo Katayama	Japanese	Tyrrell	0
–	Michael Andretti	American	McLaren	0
–	Ivan Capelli	Italian	Jordan	0

1993 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Williams	16
2	McLaren	16
3	Ligier	6
4	Benetton	4
5	Lotus	4
6	Minardi	3
7	Sauber	2
8	Ferrari	1
–	Footwork	0
–	Larrousse	0
–	Lola	0
–	Tyrrell	0
–	Jordan	0

1993 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	1993 South African Grand Prix	Kyalami, Midrand	14 March
2	1993 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	28 March
3	1993 European Grand Prix	Donington Park, Castle Donington	11 April
4	1993 San Marino Grand Prix	Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola	25 April
5	1993 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	9 May
6	1993 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	23 May
7	1993 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	13 June
8	1993 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	4 July
9	1993 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	11 July
10	1993 German Grand Prix	Hockenheimring, Hockenheim	25 July
11	1993 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	15 August
12	1993 Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot	29 August
13	1993 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	12 September
14	1993 Portuguese Grand Prix	Autódromo do Estoril, Estoril	26 September
15	1993 Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka	24 October
16	1993 Australian Grand Prix	Adelaide Street Circuit, Adelaide	7 November