1993 Italian Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Damon Hill completed a hat-trick of victories at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix after Alain Prost‘s engine failed late in the race. Jean Alesi delighted Ferrari‘s home supporters with second, while Michael Andretti finished his Formula 1 career with his first podium.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Alain Prost	Williams
Pole time	1:21.179
Fastest lap	Damon Hill	Williams
Fastest-lap time	1:23.575 on lap 45
First	Damon Hill	Williams
Second	Jean Alesi	Ferrari
Third	Michael Andretti	McLaren

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
10 September 1993	Practice 1	09:30–11:00
10 September 1993	Qualifying 1	13:00–14:00
11 September 1993	Practice 2	09:30–11:00
11 September 1993	Qualifying 2	13:00–14:00
12 September 1993	Warm-up	10:30
12 September 1993	Race	15:00

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 13 leading the 1993 F1 World Championship on 81 points, with Ayrton Senna on 53. Williams headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 129 points.

Race entries

Pedro Lamy made his debut for Lotus in place of the injured Alessandro Zanardi, while Apicella took over Thierry Boutsen‘s Jordan seat for a one-off appearance. Michael Andretti and McLaren had agreed to part company after Monza, giving the American one last opportunity to finish his difficult season on a high.

Friday Free Practice

Friday practice began on a wet track before conditions improved, with Damon Hill eventually fastest. Alain Prost‘s arrival was delayed by the weather, and several drivers had disrupted running: Suzuki struggled with braking and Rubens Barrichello with electrical problems. For Pedro Lamy and Apicella, the changing grip added another complication to their first Grand Prix preparations.

Friday Practice Classification

1993 Italian Grand Prix Practice, 10 September 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:25.714	—
2	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+0.515s	—
3	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+0.759s	—
4	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+1.076s	—
5	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+1.247s	—
6	2	Alain Prost	Williams	+1.627s	—
7	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+2.035s	—
8	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+2.177s	—
9	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+2.207s	—
10	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+2.544s	—
11	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+2.803s	—
12	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+2.895s	—
13	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+3.102s	—
14	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+3.170s	—
15	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	+3.326s	—
16	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+3.459s	—
17	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+3.471s	—
18	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	+3.486s	—
19	15	Marco Apicella	Jordan	+3.723s	—
20	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+4.078s	—
21	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	+4.300s	—
22	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+4.738s	—
23	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+5.426s	—
24	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+5.521s	—
25	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+8.563s	—
26	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+9.485s	—

Friday Qualifying

Alain Prost took provisional pole on Friday, just ahead of Damon Hill, while Jean Alesi placed Ferrari third. Ayrton Senna, Gerhard Berger and Michael Schumacher completed the leading six. The times reinforced the prospect of another Williams contest, with Ferrari close enough to keep the crowd interested.

Friday Qualifying Classification

1993 Italian Grand Prix first qualifying session, 10 September 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:22.163	12
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:22.283	9
3	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:22.625	12
4	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:23.310	10
5	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:23.750	12
6	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:23.888	12
7	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	1:24.298	12
8	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:24.608	12
9	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:24.673	12
10	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:25.016	12
11	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:25.238	10
12	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:25.348	12
13	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:25.463	12
14	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:25.482	12
15	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:25.529	12
16	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	1:25.903	11
17	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:26.049	12
18	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:26.082	12
19	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:26.127	12
20	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:26.135	11
21	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:26.287	11
22	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:26.300	12
23	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	1:26.323	12
24	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	1:26.380	12
25	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:26.664	6
26	15	Marco Apicella	Jordan	1:51.300	2

Saturday Free Practice

Damon Hill again led on Saturday morning, with Jean Alesi close behind to raise Ferrari‘s hopes. Williams still lacked complete stability, while Benetton was also searching for grip in its low-downforce configuration. Ferrari retained the established chassis after testing a revised version before the event, concentrating on the package it knew for its home race.

Saturday Practice Classification

1993 Italian Grand Prix Practice, 11 September 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:24.959	—
2	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+0.158s	—
3	2	Alain Prost	Williams	+0.441s	—
4	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+1.278s	—
5	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+1.400s	—
6	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+1.993s	—
7	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+2.512s	—
8	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+2.753s	—
9	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+2.777s	—
10	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+2.863s	—
11	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+2.955s	—
12	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	+3.304s	—
13	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+3.312s	—
14	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+3.351s	—
15	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+3.354s	—
16	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+3.565s	—
17	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+3.591s	—
18	15	Marco Apicella	Jordan	+3.830s	—
19	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+4.205s	—
20	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+4.373s	—
21	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+4.775s	—
22	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+4.945s	—
23	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	+5.117s	—
24	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	+5.190s	—
25	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+5.404s	—
26	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+14.985s	—

Saturday Qualifying

Alain Prost improved on Saturday to secure pole ahead of Damon Hill and Jean Alesi. Ayrton Senna was fourth, Michael Schumacher fifth and Gerhard Berger sixth. Gerhard Berger then crashed heavily near Ascari after encountering his slowing team-mate; he escaped serious injury. Pedro Lamy qualified at the back on his debut, while Apicella took 23rd.

Saturday Qualifying Classification

1993 Italian Grand Prix second qualifying session, 11 September 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:21.179	12
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:21.491	12
3	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:21.986	12
4	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:22.633	11
5	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:22.910	12
6	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:23.150	12
7	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:23.769	12
8	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:23.856	12
9	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:23.899	12
10	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:23.918	12
11	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:24.048	11
12	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:24.137	12
13	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:24.344	12
14	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	1:24.419	10
15	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:24.473	12
16	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:24.807	12
17	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:24.886	12
18	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:24.916	11
19	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:25.144	11
20	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	1:25.257	11
21	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:25.368	12
22	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	1:25.478	12
23	15	Marco Apicella	Jordan	1:25.672	12
24	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:25.699	12
25	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:25.957	11
26	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	1:26.324	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	1:22.163	1:21.179	1:21.179	—
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:22.283	1:21.491	1:21.491	—
3	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:22.625	1:21.986	1:21.986	—
4	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:23.310	1:22.633	1:22.633	—
5	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:23.888	1:22.910	1:22.910	—
6	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:23.750	1:23.150	1:23.150	—
7	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:25.463	1:23.769	1:23.769	—
8	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:26.127	1:23.856	1:23.856	—
9	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:25.348	1:23.899	1:23.899	—
10	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:26.082	1:23.918	1:23.918	—
11	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:24.673	1:24.048	1:24.048	—
12	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:24.608	1:24.137	1:24.137	—
13	30	JJ Lehto	Sauber	1:24.298	1:24.419	1:24.298	—
14	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:25.238	1:24.344	1:24.344	—
15	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:25.016	1:24.473	1:24.473	—
16	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:25.529	1:24.807	1:24.807	—
17	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:26.300	1:24.886	1:24.886	—
18	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:25.482	1:24.916	1:24.916	—
19	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:26.664	1:25.144	1:25.144	—
20	20	Érik Comas	Larrousse	1:26.323	1:25.257	1:25.257	—
21	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:26.287	1:25.368	1:25.368	—
22	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	1:25.903	1:25.478	1:25.478	—
23	15	Marco Apicella	Jordan	1:51.300	1:25.672	1:25.672	—
24	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:26.135	1:25.699	1:25.699	—
25	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:26.049	1:25.957	1:25.957	—
26	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	1:26.380	1:26.324	1:26.324	—

Sunday warm-up

Alain Prost headed the warm-up, with Jean Alesi and Michael Schumacher closely matched behind him. Gerhard Berger returned after his huge qualifying accident, having been cleared to race. The session brought the focus back to race preparation, with Ferrari seeking a dependable afternoon after the suspension concerns of Spa and another demanding weekend for its mechanics.

Warm-up Classification

1993 Italian Grand Prix Warm-up, 12 September 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:24.363	—
2	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+0.667s	—
3	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+0.675s	—
4	0	Damon Hill	Williams	+0.959s	—
5	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+2.170s	—
6	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+2.305s	—
7	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+2.381s	—
8	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+2.413s	—
9	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+2.504s	—
10	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+2.998s	—
11	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+3.154s	—
12	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+3.433s	—
13	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+3.438s	—
14	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+3.651s	—
15	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+3.761s	—
16	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+3.840s	—
17	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+3.857s	—
18	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+3.928s	—
19	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+3.953s	—
20	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+4.228s	—
21	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	+4.256s	—
22	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	+4.704s	—
23	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+4.704s	—
24	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	+4.830s	—
25	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+5.393s	—
26	15	Marco Apicella	Jordan	+7.603s	—

What happened in the 1993 Italian Grand Prix?

Alain Prost led as contact between Damon Hill and Ayrton Senna dropped both down the order. Incidents at the first chicane eliminated both Footworks, Lehto and both Jordans, ending Apicella’s only Grand Prix almost immediately. Ayrton Senna later collided with Martin Brundle and retired, while Damon Hill recovered through the field.

Michael Schumacher challenged near the front before an engine failure stopped him. Damon Hill reached second and closed on Alain Prost, whose own engine failed with five laps remaining. That left Damon Hill on course for a third consecutive victory and postponed Alain Prost‘s championship celebrations.

Jean Alesi took second and Michael Andretti recovered from an early spin to finish third. Karl Wendlinger, Riccardo Patrese and Erik Comas completed the points. At the finish, Christian Fittipaldi struck Pierluigi Martini‘s Minardi and somersaulted before landing on its wheels; both drivers escaped injury and retained their finishing positions.

After the race, Alain Prost headed the drivers’ standings with 81 points, followed by Damon Hill on 58. Williams led the constructors’ table on 139, with Benetton on 62.

1993 Italian Grand Prix race results

The 1993 Italian Grand Prix was held on 12 September 1993, with a scheduled start of 15:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	0	Damon Hill	Williams	53	1:17:07.509	10
2	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	53	+ 40.012	6
3	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	52	+ 1 lap	4
4	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	52	+ 1 lap	3
5	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	52	+ 1 lap	2
6	20	Érik Comas	Larrousse	51	+ 1 lap	1
7	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	51	+ 2 laps	0
8	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	51	+ 2 laps	0
9	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	51	+ 2 laps	0
10	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	51	+ 2 laps	0
11	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	49	Electrical	0
12	2	Alain Prost	Williams	48	Engine	0
13	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	47	Oil pressure	0
14	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	47	+ 6 laps	0
Ret	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	23	Suspension	0
Ret	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	21	Engine	0
Ret	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	20	Accident damage	0
Ret	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	15	Suspension	0
Ret	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	14	Spun off	0
Ret	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	8	Collision	0
Ret	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	8	Collision	0
Ret	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	0	Collision	0
Ret	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	0	Collision	0
Ret	30	JJ Lehto	Sauber	0	Collision	0
Ret	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	0	Collision	0
Ret	15	Marco Apicella	Jordan	0	Collision	0

1993 Italian Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time
1	0	Damon Hill	Williams	45	1:23.575
2	2	Alain Prost	Williams	39	1:24.407
3	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	47	1:25.140
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	21	1:25.969
5	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	46	1:26.380
6	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	31	1:27.309
7	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	39	1:27.458
8	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	43	1:27.534
9	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	5	1:27.939
10	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	46	1:28.062
11	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	9	1:28.139
12	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	39	1:28.192
13	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	8	1:28.512
14	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	7	1:28.559
15	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	34	1:28.620
16	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	12	1:28.889
17	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	43	1:28.907
18	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	32	1:29.209
19	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	34	1:29.426
20	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	46	1:29.502
21	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	18	1:30.168

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 Italian Grand Prix.

1993 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Alain Prost	French	Williams	81
2	Damon Hill	British	Williams	58
3	Ayrton Senna	Brazilian	McLaren	53
4	Michael Schumacher	German	Benetton	42
5	Riccardo Patrese	Italian	Benetton	20
6	Martin Brundle	British	Ligier	11
7	Johnny Herbert	British	Lotus	11
8	Jean Alesi	French	Ferrari	10
9	Mark Blundell	British	Ligier	10
10	Gerhard Berger	Austrian	Ferrari	10
11	Michael Andretti	American	McLaren	7
12	Christian Fittipaldi	Brazilian	Minardi	5
13	JJ Lehto	Finnish	Sauber	5
14	Karl Wendlinger	Austrian	Sauber	5
15	Derek Warwick	British	Footwork	4
16	Philippe Alliot	French	Larrousse	2
17	Fabrizio Barbazza	Italian	Minardi	2
18	Alessandro Zanardi	Italian	Lotus	1
19	Érik Comas	French	Larrousse	1
–	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Jordan	0
–	Luca Badoer	Italian	Lola	0
–	Pierluigi Martini	Italian	Minardi	0
–	Aguri Suzuki	Japanese	Footwork	0
–	Thierry Boutsen	Belgian	Jordan	0
–	Andrea de Cesaris	Italian	Tyrrell	0
–	Ukyo Katayama	Japanese	Tyrrell	0
–	Michele Alboreto	Italian	Lola	0
–	Pedro Lamy	Portuguese	Lotus	0
–	Ivan Capelli	Italian	Jordan	0
–	Marco Apicella	Italian	Jordan	0

1993 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Williams	139
2	Benetton	62
3	McLaren	60
4	Ligier	21
5	Ferrari	20
6	Lotus	12
7	Sauber	10
8	Minardi	7
9	Footwork	4
10	Larrousse	3
–	Jordan	0
–	Lola	0
–	Tyrrell	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