1993 Japanese Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Ayrton Senna returned to winning form at the 1993 Japanese Grand Prix, beating Alain Prost as rain transformed the race at Suzuka. Mika Häkkinen earned his first podium, while Jordan celebrated a double points finish and Eddie Irvine scored on his debut.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Alain Prost	Williams
Pole time	1:37.154
Fastest lap	Alain Prost	Williams
Fastest-lap time	1:41.176 on lap 53
First	Ayrton Senna	McLaren
Second	Alain Prost	Williams
Third	Mika Häkkinen	McLaren

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
22 October 1993	Practice 1	Morning; start time unconfirmed
22 October 1993	Qualifying 1	Afternoon; start time unconfirmed
23 October 1993	Practice 2	Morning; start time unconfirmed
23 October 1993	Qualifying 2	Afternoon; start time unconfirmed
24 October 1993	Warm-up	Morning; start time unconfirmed
24 October 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 15 leading the 1993 F1 World Championship on 87 points, with Damon Hill on 62. Williams headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 149 points.

Race entries

Eddie Irvine replaced Emanuele Naspetti at Jordan, Jean-Marc Gounon took Christian Fittipaldi‘s Minardi and Toshio Suzuki replaced Philippe Alliot at Larrousse. Scuderia Italia withdrew, reducing the field to 24 cars. Benetton also experimented with four-wheel steering as the season approached the end of its electronic-development era.

Friday Free Practice

Damon Hill led Friday practice as he learned Suzuka in a Grand Prix car, while Alain Prost lost running to an engine failure. Eddie Irvine‘s fifth place immediately showed the value of his Japanese racing experience. Benetton evaluated rear-wheel steering, although the new system did not provide a clear performance breakthrough.

Friday Practice Classification

1993 Japanese Grand Prix Practice, 22 October 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:39.737	—
2	7	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	+0.266s	—
3	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+0.991s	—
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+1.276s	—
5	15	Eddie Irvine	Jordan	+2.180s	—
6	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+2.194s	—
7	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+2.269s	—
8	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+2.456s	—
9	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+2.604s	—
10	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+2.679s	—
11	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+2.736s	—
12	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+3.052s	—
13	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+3.121s	—
14	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+3.177s	—
15	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+4.067s	—
16	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+4.602s	—
17	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+5.185s	—
18	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	+5.475s	—
19	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	+6.629s	—
20	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+7.777s	—
21	19	Toshio Suzuki	Larrousse	+7.861s	—
22	23	Jean-Marc Gounon	Minardi	+9.348s	—
23	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+10.342s	—
24	2	Alain Prost	Williams	+38.145s	—

Friday Qualifying

Alain Prost beat Michael Schumacher by just 0.002 seconds in Friday qualifying. Häkkinen was third, ahead of Ayrton Senna and Damon Hill, with Gerhard Berger sixth. The close gaps suggested Williams would face a more serious challenge than at several earlier rounds.

Friday Qualifying Classification

1993 Japanese Grand Prix first qualifying session, 22 October 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:38.587	12
2	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:38.589	11
3	7	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	1:38.813	12
4	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:38.942	10
5	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:38.979	12
6	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:39.024	10
7	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:39.535	5
8	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	1:40.346	11
9	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:40.748	12
10	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:40.963	11
11	15	Eddie Irvine	Jordan	1:41.018	12
12	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:41.086	12
13	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:41.278	12
14	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:41.367	12
15	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:41.380	12
16	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:41.480	11
17	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:41.488	11
18	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:41.543	11
19	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:41.624	12
20	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	1:42.388	12
21	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	1:43.165	11
22	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	1:43.483	8
23	19	Toshio Suzuki	Larrousse	1:44.562	10
24	23	Jean-Marc Gounon	Minardi	1:46.782	12

Saturday Free Practice

Alain Prost recovered to head Saturday practice, with Damon Hill second. Ferrari was working with a lighter car and revised engine, and Gerhard Berger‘s speed suggested a stronger weekend. The new arrivals had contrasting challenges: Eddie Irvine knew the circuit well, while Jean-Marc Gounon was learning both the Minardi and Suzuka and dealing with neck discomfort.

Saturday Practice Classification

1993 Japanese Grand Prix Practice, 23 October 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:37.984	—
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	+0.513s	—
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+0.804s	—
4	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+0.933s	—
5	15	Eddie Irvine	Jordan	+1.577s	—
6	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+1.690s	—
7	7	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	+2.085s	—
8	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+2.179s	—
9	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+2.219s	—
10	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+2.269s	—
11	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+2.298s	—
12	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+2.398s	—
13	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+2.660s	—
14	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+2.998s	—
15	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+3.737s	—
16	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+4.027s	—
17	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	+4.038s	—
18	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	+4.571s	—
19	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+4.794s	—
20	19	Toshio Suzuki	Larrousse	+5.280s	—
21	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+5.834s	—
22	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+5.897s	—
23	23	Jean-Marc Gounon	Minardi	+7.668s	—
24	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+11.274s	—

Saturday Qualifying

Alain Prost secured the final pole of his career on Saturday, narrowly ahead of Ayrton Senna and Häkkinen. Michael Schumacher was fourth, Gerhard Berger fifth and Damon Hill sixth. Eddie Irvine qualified an impressive eighth. Jean Alesi‘s Saturday times were removed for overtaking under red flags, leaving him to start from his Friday performance.

Saturday Qualifying Classification

1993 Japanese Grand Prix second qualifying session, 23 October 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:37.154	12
2	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:37.284	7
3	7	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	1:37.326	12
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:37.530	10
5	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:37.622	7
6	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:38.352	2
7	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:38.780	12
8	15	Eddie Irvine	Jordan	1:38.966	11
9	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:39.278	12
10	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:39.291	9
11	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	1:39.391	11
12	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:39.426	9
13	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:39.511	11
14	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:39.951	12
15	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:40.153	12
16	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:40.696	7
17	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:40.696	6
18	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	1:41.600	8
19	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	1:41.769	12
20	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	1:41.989	11
21	19	Toshio Suzuki	Larrousse	1:42.175	4
22	23	Jean-Marc Gounon	Minardi	1:43.812	9
23	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	2:44.132	2
24	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	3:41.040	2

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	1:38.587	1:37.154	1:37.154	—
2	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:38.942	1:37.284	1:37.284	—
3	7	Mika Häkkinen	McLaren	1:38.813	1:37.326	1:37.326	—
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:38.589	1:37.530	1:37.530	—
5	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:39.024	1:37.622	1:37.622	—
6	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:38.979	1:38.352	1:38.352	—
7	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:41.086	1:38.780	1:38.780	—
8	15	Eddie Irvine	Jordan	1:41.018	1:38.966	1:38.966	—
9	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:41.380	1:39.278	1:39.278	—
10	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:40.748	1:39.291	1:39.291	—
11	30	JJ Lehto	Sauber	1:40.346	1:39.391	1:39.391	—
12	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:41.624	1:39.426	1:39.426	—
13	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:40.963	1:39.511	1:39.511	—
14	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:39.535	2:44.132	1:39.535	—
15	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:41.543	1:39.951	1:39.951	—
16	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:41.367	1:40.153	1:40.153	—
17	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:41.278	1:40.696	1:40.696	—
18	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:41.480	1:40.696	1:40.696	—
19	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:41.488	3:41.040	1:41.488	—
20	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	1:43.165	1:41.600	1:41.600	—
21	20	Érik Comas	Larrousse	1:43.483	1:41.769	1:41.769	—
22	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	1:42.388	1:41.989	1:41.989	—
23	19	Toshio Suzuki	Larrousse	1:44.562	1:42.175	1:42.175	—
24	23	Jean-Marc Gounon	Minardi	1:46.782	1:43.812	1:43.812	—

Sunday warm-up

Alain Prost set the warm-up pace, with Aguri Suzuki close behind in front of his home supporters. The morning completed the teams’ preparation under a continuing threat of showers. That uncertainty mattered: although the race began dry, the later rain would favour the drivers able to adapt quickly and judge when to change tyres.

Warm-up Classification

1993 Japanese Grand Prix Warm-up, 24 October 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:42.995	—
2	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+0.292s	—
3	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+0.566s	—
4	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+0.699s	—
5	0	Damon Hill	Williams	+0.796s	—
6	7	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	+0.896s	—
7	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+1.420s	—
8	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+1.434s	—
9	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+1.716s	—
10	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+1.807s	—
11	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+2.015s	—
12	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	+2.427s	—
13	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+2.522s	—
14	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+3.113s	—
15	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+3.157s	—
16	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+3.186s	—
17	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	+3.213s	—
18	15	Eddie Irvine	Jordan	+3.399s	—
19	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+3.727s	—
20	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+3.815s	—
21	19	Toshio Suzuki	Larrousse	+4.643s	—
22	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+4.648s	—
23	23	Jean-Marc Gounon	Minardi	+5.354s	—
24	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+5.651s	—

What happened in the 1993 Japanese Grand Prix?

Ayrton Senna took the lead at the start, with Alain Prost second and Häkkinen third. Michael Schumacher retired after contact with Damon Hill during their battle around Gerhard Berger. Alain Prost moved ahead during the tyre stops, but rain then shifted the balance back towards Ayrton Senna.

Ayrton Senna caught and passed Alain Prost as the track became wetter, then pulled clear. The changing conditions also brought an unusual confrontation with Eddie Irvine, who unlapped himself while pursuing Damon Hill. Ayrton Senna was angered by the delay, and their disagreement continued after the race.

Ayrton Senna won from Alain Prost and Häkkinen, whose third place was his first Formula 1 podium. Damon Hill finished fourth, followed by Rubens Barrichello and Eddie Irvine, giving both Jordan drivers their first points. Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost remained the central figures on a day that also offered a glimpse of the next generation.

After the race, Alain Prost headed the drivers’ standings with 93 points, followed by Damon Hill on 65. Williams led the constructors’ table on 158, with McLaren on 74.

1993 Japanese Grand Prix race results

The 1993 Japanese Grand Prix was held on 24 October 1993, with a scheduled start of Start time unconfirmed local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	53	1:40:27.912	10
2	2	Alain Prost	Williams	53	+ 11.435	6
3	7	Mika Häkkinen	McLaren	53	+ 26.129	4
4	0	Damon Hill	Williams	53	+ 1:23.538	3
5	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	53	+ 1:35.101	2
6	15	Eddie Irvine	Jordan	53	+ 1:46.421	1
7	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	52	+ 1 Lap	0
8	30	JJ Lehto	Sauber	52	+ 1 Lap	0
9	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	51	+ 2 Laps	0
10	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	51	+ 2 Laps	0
11	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	51	+ 2 Laps	0
12	19	Toshio Suzuki	Larrousse	51	+ 2 Laps	0
13	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	49	Accident	0
14	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	48	Collision	0
Ret	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	45	Accident	0
Ret	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	40	Engine	0
Ret	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	28	Spun Off	0
Ret	23	Jean-Marc Gounon	Minardi	26	Withdrew	0
Ret	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	26	Engine	0
Ret	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	25	Engine	0
Ret	20	Érik Comas	Larrousse	17	Engine	0
Ret	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	10	Collision	0
Ret	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	7	Engine	0
Ret	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	0	Collision	0

1993 Japanese Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	53	1:41.176
2	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	49	1:42.119
3	7	Mika Hakkinen	McLaren	13	1:43.158
4	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	15	1:43.217
5	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	50	1:43.610
6	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	51	1:44.144
7	15	Eddie Irvine	Jordan	46	1:44.293
8	0	Damon Hill	Williams	51	1:44.507
9	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	46	1:44.761
10	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	50	1:44.802
11	11	Pedro Lamy	Lotus	49	1:45.389
12	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	49	1:45.578
13	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	15	1:45.648
14	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	3	1:45.988
15	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	14	1:46.408
16	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	17	1:46.819
17	19	Toshio Suzuki	Larrousse	49	1:46.819
18	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	5	1:47.373
19	24	Pierluigi Martini	Minardi	50	1:47.533
20	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	15	1:47.816
21	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	5	1:47.823
22	23	Jean-Marc Gounon	Minardi	11	1:48.940
23	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	4	1:50.230

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 Japanese Grand Prix.

1993 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Alain Prost	French	Williams	93
2	Damon Hill	British	Williams	65
3	Ayrton Senna	Brazilian	McLaren	63
4	Michael Schumacher	German	Benetton	52
5	Riccardo Patrese	Italian	Benetton	20
6	Jean Alesi	French	Ferrari	13
7	Martin Brundle	British	Ligier	12
8	Johnny Herbert	British	Lotus	11
9	Mark Blundell	British	Ligier	10
10	Gerhard Berger	Austrian	Ferrari	10
11	Michael Andretti	American	McLaren	7
12	Karl Wendlinger	Austrian	Sauber	7
13	JJ Lehto	Finnish	Sauber	5
14	Christian Fittipaldi	Brazilian	Minardi	5
15	Mika Häkkinen	Finnish	McLaren	4
16	Derek Warwick	British	Footwork	4
17	Philippe Alliot	French	Larrousse	2
18	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Jordan	2
19	Fabrizio Barbazza	Italian	Minardi	2
20	Alessandro Zanardi	Italian	Lotus	1
21	Érik Comas	French	Larrousse	1
22	Eddie Irvine	British	Jordan	1
–	Pierluigi Martini	Italian	Minardi	0
–	Luca Badoer	Italian	Lola	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
–	Toshio Suzuki	Japanese	Larrousse	0
–	Jean-Marc Gounon	French	Minardi	0
–	Ivan Capelli	Italian	Jordan	0
–	Marco Apicella	Italian	Jordan	0
–	Emanuele Naspetti	Italian	Jordan	0

1993 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Williams	158
2	McLaren	74
3	Benetton	72
4	Ferrari	23
5	Ligier	22
6	Lotus	12
7	Sauber	12
8	Minardi	7
9	Footwork	4
10	Larrousse	3
11	Jordan	3
–	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