1993 San Marino Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Alain Prost answered his Donington disappointment with victory at the 1993 San Marino Grand Prix. A forceful move through the leading battle put the Williams driver in command, while Michael Schumacher finished second and Martin Brundle secured Ligier‘s second podium of the season.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Alain Prost	Williams
Pole time	1:22.070
Fastest lap	Alain Prost	Williams
Fastest-lap time	1:26.128 on lap 42
First	Alain Prost	Williams
Second	Michael Schumacher	Benetton
Third	Martin Brundle	Ligier

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
23 April 1993	Practice 1	09:30–11:00
23 April 1993	Qualifying 1	13:00–14:00
24 April 1993	Practice 2	09:30–11:00
24 April 1993	Qualifying 2	13:00–14:00
25 April 1993	Warm-up	09:30
25 April 1993	Wet-weather acclimatisation	Before race; start time unconfirmed
25 April 1993	Race	14:00

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Ayrton Senna arrived at round 4 leading the 1993 F1 World Championship on 26 points, with Alain Prost on 14. McLaren headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 26 points.

Race entries

The driver line-ups were unchanged from Donington. Ayrton Senna arrived shortly before Friday practice after further discussions over McLaren‘s Ford engine supply, while the struggling Scuderia Italia continued working with its Lola chassis. The contest for the final place on the 25-car grid remained significant at the back.

Friday Free Practice

Damon Hill headed Friday practice, while Alain Prost‘s morning was cut short by contact with Jean Alesi at Acque Minerali. That left Alain Prost relying on his team-mate’s setup information for the afternoon. Ayrton Senna also hit trouble near the pit entry after his late arrival, and de Andrea de Cesaris suffered an engine failure as Tyrrell evaluated its latest Yamaha unit.

Friday Practice Classification

1993 San Marino Grand Prix Practice, 23 April 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:23.604	—
2	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+1.121s	—
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+1.647s	—
4	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+1.999s	—
5	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+2.061s	—
6	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+2.344s	—
7	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+2.377s	—
8	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+2.694s	—
9	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+2.731s	—
10	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+2.780s	—
11	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+2.974s	—
12	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+2.991s	—
13	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+3.349s	—
14	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	+3.396s	—
15	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+3.470s	—
16	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+3.599s	—
17	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+3.600s	—
18	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+3.655s	—
19	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+3.679s	—
20	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	+3.708s	—
21	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+3.724s	—
22	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+3.735s	—
23	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+3.814s	—
24	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	+3.838s	—
25	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	+5.036s	—
26	2	Alain Prost	Williams	+347.401s	—

Friday Qualifying

Damon Hill took provisional pole on Friday, ahead of Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna. Michael Schumacher‘s times briefly became the subject of a tyre-marking dispute before being reinstated. Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi gave Ferrari fifth and sixth in front of its home supporters.

Friday Qualifying Classification

1993 San Marino Grand Prix first qualifying session, 23 April 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:22.540	12
2	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:22.788	11
3	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:23.988	12
4	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:24.042	10
5	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:24.822	11
6	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:24.906	12
7	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:24.916	11
8	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:25.405	12
9	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:25.482	12
10	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:25.742	7
11	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:25.789	12
12	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	1:25.941	11
13	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:25.971	11
14	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:26.142	12
15	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:26.181	12
16	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	1:26.465	12
17	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:26.707	9
18	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	1:26.810	11
19	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	1:26.947	11
20	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:27.312	11
21	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:27.371	12
22	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:27.569	9
23	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:27.753	11
24	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:27.801	11
25	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	1:28.032	8
26	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:31.809	4

Saturday Free Practice

Damon Hill remained quickest on Saturday morning, with Alain Prost close behind as Williams recovered its normal rhythm. The contrast with Friday’s disrupted running was useful for Alain Prost before the final qualifying attempt. McLaren continued wrestling with active-suspension behaviour, while the midfield was so closely matched that small improvements in balance could change several grid positions.

Saturday Practice Classification

1993 San Marino Grand Prix Practice, 24 April 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:22.524	—
2	2	Alain Prost	Williams	+0.280s	—
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+0.726s	—
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+1.789s	—
5	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+2.526s	—
6	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+2.544s	—
7	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+2.819s	—
8	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+2.877s	—
9	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+2.906s	—
10	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+2.918s	—
11	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+3.084s	—
12	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+3.242s	—
13	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+3.383s	—
14	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+3.560s	—
15	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	+3.754s	—
16	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+3.889s	—
17	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+4.011s	—
18	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	+4.106s	—
19	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+4.461s	—
20	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	+4.521s	—
21	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+4.884s	—
22	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+4.911s	—
23	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	+5.046s	—
24	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+5.322s	—
25	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+6.787s	—
26	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+7.286s	—

Saturday Qualifying

Alain Prost reversed the Williams order on Saturday, claiming pole by 0.098 seconds. Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna remained on the second row, with Karl Wendlinger fifth and Michael Andretti sixth. The midfield was tightly packed, but Michele Alboreto could not find enough speed in the Lola and failed to qualify.

Saturday Qualifying Classification

1993 San Marino Grand Prix second qualifying session, 24 April 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:22.070	10
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:22.168	12
3	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:23.919	12
4	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:24.007	9
5	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:24.720	11
6	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:24.793	12
7	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:24.804	12
8	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:24.829	12
9	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:24.893	12
10	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:24.896	12
11	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:25.115	12
12	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:25.161	8
13	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:25.169	12
14	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:25.629	11
15	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:25.901	12
16	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	1:26.279	12
17	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	1:26.358	9
18	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:26.429	10
19	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	1:26.436	11
20	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:26.657	5
21	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:26.900	12
22	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:27.277	12
23	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:27.388	11
24	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	1:27.602	11
25	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:27.771	12
26	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	1:35.748	3

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	1:22.788	1:22.070	1:22.070	—
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:22.540	1:22.168	1:22.168	—
3	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:23.988	1:23.919	1:23.919	—
4	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:24.042	1:24.007	1:24.007	—
5	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:25.789	1:24.720	1:24.720	—
6	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:31.809	1:24.793	1:24.793	—
7	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:25.405	1:24.804	1:24.804	—
8	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:24.822	1:25.161	1:24.822	—
9	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:24.906	1:24.829	1:24.829	—
10	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:26.181	1:24.893	1:24.893	—
11	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:24.916	1:24.896	1:24.896	—
12	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:25.742	1:25.115	1:25.115	—
13	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:26.142	1:25.169	1:25.169	—
14	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:25.482	1:25.629	1:25.482	—
15	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:25.971	1:25.901	1:25.901	—
16	30	JJ Lehto	Sauber	1:25.941	1:26.358	1:25.941	—
17	20	Érik Comas	Larrousse	1:26.947	1:26.279	1:26.279	—
18	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:27.312	1:26.429	1:26.429	—
19	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	1:26.810	1:26.436	1:26.436	—
20	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	1:26.465	1:35.748	1:26.465	—
21	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:26.707	1:26.657	1:26.657	—
22	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:27.569	1:26.900	1:26.900	—
23	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:27.753	1:27.277	1:27.277	—
24	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:27.371	1:27.388	1:27.371	—
25	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	1:28.032	1:27.602	1:27.602	—
DNQ	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:27.801	1:27.771	1:27.771	—

Sunday warm-up

Damon Hill narrowly beat Alain Prost in the warm-up, the two Williams separated by only 0.041 seconds. Alain Prost was also concerned about clutch behaviour, an issue that would reappear at the start. Rain before the race required further adjustment, so the morning’s pace alone could not settle the teams’ final choices for the opening laps.

Warm-up Classification

1993 San Marino Grand Prix Warm-up, 25 April 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:26.176	—
2	2	Alain Prost	Williams	+0.041s	—
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+0.576s	—
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+0.990s	—
5	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+1.004s	—
6	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+1.256s	—
7	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+1.671s	—
8	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+1.846s	—
9	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+1.989s	—
10	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+2.048s	—
11	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	+2.083s	—
12	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+2.191s	—
13	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+2.560s	—
14	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+2.575s	—
15	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+2.647s	—
16	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+2.663s	—
17	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+3.395s	—
18	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+3.495s	—
19	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+3.550s	—
20	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+3.561s	—
21	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+3.719s	—
22	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	+3.786s	—
23	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+4.022s	—
24	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+4.274s	—
25	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	+6.410s	—

Wet-weather acclimatisation

Rain before the start prompted an additional acclimatisation session. Alain Prost used the opportunity to alter his settings and improve traction, a change that helped when the race began on a damp track.

What happened in the 1993 San Marino Grand Prix?

Damon Hill led at the start after Alain Prost hesitated with a clutch problem, and Ayrton Senna also passed the pole-sitter. As the surface dried, the timing of the switch to slicks brought the leaders together. Alain Prost then seized his chance around Tosa, moving ahead of both rivals during the same sequence of corners.

Damon Hill‘s race ended after brake trouble sent him into the gravel. Ayrton Senna continued in pursuit until a hydraulic failure stopped the McLaren, while Michael Andretti spun out. Michael Schumacher inherited second, and Karl Wendlinger‘s later engine failure opened the final podium place for Martin Brundle.

Alain Prost won comfortably, restoring momentum to his title challenge. Lehto was classified fourth despite stopping late with an engine problem, followed by Philippe Alliot and Fabrizio Barbazza. A race that began with changing grip and a lively contest at the front ended with Williams firmly back in control.

After the race, Ayrton Senna headed the drivers’ standings with 26 points, followed by Alain Prost on 24. Williams led the constructors’ table on 36, with McLaren on 26.

1993 San Marino Grand Prix race results

The 1993 San Marino Grand Prix was held on 25 April 1993, with a scheduled start of 14:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	61	1:33:20.413	10
2	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	61	+ 32.410	6
3	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	60	+ 1 lap	4
4	30	JJ Lehto	Sauber	59	Engine	3
5	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	59	+ 2 laps	2
6	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	59	+ 2 laps	1
7	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	58	+ 3 laps	0
8	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	57	Engine	0
9	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	54	+ 7 laps	0
Ret	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	53	Spun off/fire	0
Ret	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	48	Engine	0
Ret	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	42	Hydraulics	0
Ret	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	40	Clutch	0
Ret	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	36	Steering	0
Ret	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	32	Spun off	0
Ret	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	29	Spun off	0
Ret	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	22	Engine	0
Ret	0	Damon Hill	Williams	20	Brakes	0
Ret	20	Érik Comas	Larrousse	18	Engine	0
Ret	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	18	Gearbox	0
Ret	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	17	Spun off	0
Ret	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	8	Gearbox	0
Ret	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	1	Gearbox	0
Ret	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	0	Accident	0
Ret	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	0	Spun off	0

1993 San Marino Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	42	1:26.128
2	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	41	1:26.612
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	28	1:27.490
4	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	41	1:27.690
5	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	30	1:28.317
6	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	45	1:28.324
7	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	45	1:28.430
8	0	Damon Hill	Williams	19	1:28.590
9	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	48	1:28.636
10	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	30	1:28.803
11	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	28	1:28.874
12	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	44	1:29.092
13	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	30	1:29.304
14	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	29	1:29.332
15	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	39	1:29.646
16	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	22	1:30.438
17	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	15	1:30.983
18	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	46	1:31.751
19	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	15	1:32.432
20	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	19	1:33.541
21	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	18	1:34.556
22	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	8	1:42.881
23	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	1	12:17.162

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 San Marino Grand Prix.

1993 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Ayrton Senna	Brazilian	McLaren	26
2	Alain Prost	French	Williams	24
3	Damon Hill	British	Williams	12
4	Michael Schumacher	German	Benetton	10
5	Mark Blundell	British	Ligier	6
6	Johnny Herbert	British	Lotus	6
7	JJ Lehto	Finnish	Sauber	5
8	Martin Brundle	British	Ligier	4
9	Christian Fittipaldi	Brazilian	Minardi	3
10	Philippe Alliot	French	Larrousse	2
11	Riccardo Patrese	Italian	Benetton	2
12	Fabrizio Barbazza	Italian	Minardi	2
13	Alessandro Zanardi	Italian	Lotus	1
14	Gerhard Berger	Austrian	Ferrari	1
–	Derek Warwick	British	Footwork	0
–	Luca Badoer	Italian	Lola	0
–	Jean Alesi	French	Ferrari	0
–	Érik Comas	French	Larrousse	0
–	Aguri Suzuki	Japanese	Footwork	0
–	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Jordan	0
–	Michele Alboreto	Italian	Lola	0
–	Karl Wendlinger	Austrian	Sauber	0
–	Thierry Boutsen	Belgian	Jordan	0
–	Andrea de Cesaris	Italian	Tyrrell	0
–	Michael Andretti	American	McLaren	0
–	Ukyo Katayama	Japanese	Tyrrell	0
–	Ivan Capelli	Italian	Jordan	0

1993 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Williams	36
2	McLaren	26
3	Benetton	12
4	Ligier	10
5	Lotus	7
6	Sauber	5
7	Minardi	5
8	Larrousse	2
9	Ferrari	1
–	Footwork	0
–	Lola	0
–	Jordan	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