1993 Spanish Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Alain Prost made it back-to-back victories at the 1993 Spanish Grand Prix, surviving a difficult final stint to finish ahead of Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. Damon Hill had challenged his Williams team-mate before an engine failure ended his hopes.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Alain Prost	Williams
Pole time	1:17.809
Fastest lap	Michael Schumacher	Benetton
Fastest-lap time	1:20.989 on lap 61
First	Alain Prost	Williams
Second	Ayrton Senna	McLaren
Third	Michael Schumacher	Benetton

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
7 May 1993	Practice 1	09:30–11:00
7 May 1993	Qualifying 1	13:00–14:00
8 May 1993	Practice 2	09:30–11:00
8 May 1993	Qualifying 2	13:00–14:00
9 May 1993	Warm-up	09:30
9 May 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 5 leading the 1993 F1 World Championship on 26 points, with Alain Prost on 24. Williams headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 36 points.

Race entries

The field was unchanged, with all 26 drivers contesting 25 grid places. Thierry Boutsen received a Jordan chassis better suited to his height, while Scuderia Italia brought further revisions to the Lola as it fought to get both cars into the race.

Friday Free Practice

Alain Prost was fastest on Friday morning as the teams worked around the increasingly bumpy Barcelona surface. Active suspension was a valuable asset, but Ferrari was still developing its system and struggling with oversteer. Williams retained its established throttle arrangement rather than introducing a recently tested alternative, keeping its attention on refining a proven package.

Friday Practice Classification

1993 Spanish Grand Prix Practice, 7 May 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:19.182	—
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	+0.263s	—
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+1.358s	—
4	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+2.450s	—
5	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+3.463s	—
6	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+3.577s	—
7	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+5.280s	—
8	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+5.374s	—
9	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+5.380s	—
10	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+5.538s	—
11	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	+5.551s	—
12	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+5.555s	—
13	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+5.805s	—
14	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+6.009s	—
15	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+6.232s	—
16	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+6.257s	—
17	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+6.268s	—
18	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	+6.355s	—
19	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+6.464s	—
20	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+6.897s	—
21	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+7.117s	—
22	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	+7.405s	—
23	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+7.757s	—
24	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	+7.993s	—
25	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+8.519s	—
26	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+34.581s	—

Friday Qualifying

Alain Prost headed Friday qualifying, with Ayrton Senna separating the Williams drivers. Michael Schumacher and Riccardo Patrese followed Damon Hill, while Michael Andretti completed the top six. The times left Williams in a strong position but gave Damon Hill a clear target for Saturday.

Friday Qualifying Classification

1993 Spanish Grand Prix first qualifying session, 7 May 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:19.599	12
2	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:20.221	12
3	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:20.400	12
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:21.148	12
5	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:21.880	12
6	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:22.286	11
7	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	1:22.801	12
8	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:23.541	12
9	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	1:23.579	12
10	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:23.614	12
11	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:23.696	12
12	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:23.971	12
13	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:24.107	12
14	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:24.158	12
15	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:24.304	12
16	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:24.346	12
17	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	1:24.476	11
18	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:24.708	12
19	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:24.748	12
20	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	1:24.995	12
21	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:25.607	11
22	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	1:25.616	11
23	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:26.698	8
24	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:26.813	12
25	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:26.851	12
26	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:27.724	8

Saturday Free Practice

Damon Hill set the pace on Saturday morning, suggesting that Alain Prost would have a serious challenge from within Williams. Ferrari and Larrousse made progress after difficult Fridays, although balance through the faster corners remained a concern. Alessandro Zanardi‘s Lotus continued to suffer interruptions to its engine running, compromising his efforts to build a consistent rhythm.

Saturday Practice Classification

1993 Spanish Grand Prix Practice, 8 May 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:18.551	—
2	2	Alain Prost	Williams	+1.148s	—
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+1.527s	—
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+1.595s	—
5	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+3.812s	—
6	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+4.212s	—
7	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+4.323s	—
8	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+4.363s	—
9	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	+4.503s	—
10	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+4.746s	—
11	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+4.802s	—
12	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+4.855s	—
13	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+4.906s	—
14	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+5.218s	—
15	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+5.249s	—
16	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+5.279s	—
17	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	+5.421s	—
18	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+5.631s	—
19	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+5.782s	—
20	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+5.804s	—
21	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	+6.400s	—
22	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+6.739s	—
23	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+7.215s	—
24	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	+7.572s	—
25	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+8.272s	—
26	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+8.784s	—

Saturday Qualifying

Damon Hill challenged again in the final session, but Alain Prost answered with a 1:17.809 to take his fifth pole of the season. Damon Hill joined him on the front row, ahead of Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Riccardo Patrese and Karl Wendlinger. Michele Alboreto failed to qualify the Lola for the second consecutive race.

Saturday Qualifying Classification

1993 Spanish Grand Prix second qualifying session, 8 May 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:17.809	12
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:18.346	12
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:19.722	10
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:20.520	12
5	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:20.600	12
6	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:21.203	12
7	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:21.360	12
8	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:21.767	12
9	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	1:22.047	12
10	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:22.470	12
11	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:22.655	11
12	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:22.708	11
13	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:22.887	12
14	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	1:22.904	12
15	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	1:23.026	12
16	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:23.086	9
17	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:23.232	12
18	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:23.357	12
19	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:23.432	11
20	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:23.449	12
21	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	1:23.464	12
22	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:24.268	11
23	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:24.291	11
24	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:24.358	12
25	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	1:24.399	12
26	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:25.396	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	1:19.599	1:17.809	1:17.809	—
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	1:20.400	1:18.346	1:18.346	—
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	1:20.221	1:19.722	1:19.722	—
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	1:21.148	1:20.520	1:20.520	—
5	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	1:21.880	1:20.600	1:20.600	—
6	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	1:23.696	1:21.203	1:21.203	—
7	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	1:22.286	1:21.360	1:21.360	—
8	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	1:23.614	1:21.767	1:21.767	—
9	30	JJ Lehto	Sauber	1:22.801	1:22.047	1:22.047	—
10	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	1:23.541	1:22.470	1:22.470	—
11	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	1:24.346	1:22.655	1:22.655	—
12	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	1:24.107	1:22.708	1:22.708	—
13	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	1:26.698	1:22.887	1:22.887	—
14	20	Érik Comas	Larrousse	1:24.995	1:22.904	1:22.904	—
15	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	1:23.579	1:23.026	1:23.026	—
16	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	1:23.971	1:23.086	1:23.086	—
17	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	1:24.708	1:23.232	1:23.232	—
18	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	1:24.748	1:23.357	1:23.357	—
19	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	1:24.158	1:23.432	1:23.432	—
20	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	1:24.304	1:23.449	1:23.449	—
21	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	1:24.476	1:23.464	1:23.464	—
22	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	1:26.851	1:24.268	1:24.268	—
23	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	1:25.607	1:24.291	1:24.291	—
24	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	1:27.724	1:24.358	1:24.358	—
25	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	1:25.616	1:24.399	1:24.399	—
DNQ	21	Michele Alboreto	Lola	1:26.813	1:25.396	1:25.396	—

Sunday warm-up

Alain Prost and Damon Hill were closely matched again in the warm-up. Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher followed, but neither had yet shown a convincing answer to Williams‘ speed. The session completed preparations for a race in which tyre condition would prove crucial: Alain Prost‘s later vibration and Michael Schumacher‘s late pursuit of Ayrton Senna both made managing the rubber central to the afternoon.

Warm-up Classification

1993 Spanish Grand Prix Warm-up, 9 May 1993

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	1:22.372	—
2	0	Damon Hill	Williams	+0.199s	—
3	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	+1.694s	—
4	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	+1.857s	—
5	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	+2.025s	—
6	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	+2.760s	—
7	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	+2.982s	—
8	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	+3.170s	—
9	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	+3.322s	—
10	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	+3.468s	—
11	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	+3.587s	—
12	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	+3.598s	—
13	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	+3.717s	—
14	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	+3.830s	—
15	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	+3.836s	—
16	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	+3.894s	—
17	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	+4.277s	—
18	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	+4.854s	—
19	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	+5.057s	—
20	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	+5.127s	—
21	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	+5.171s	—
22	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	+5.178s	—
23	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	+5.389s	—
24	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	+5.947s	—
25	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	+6.156s	—

What happened in the 1993 Spanish Grand Prix?

Damon Hill beat Alain Prost away from the line and led the opening stages. Alain Prost retook first place, but his Williams later developed a vibration and became harder to drive. Damon Hill closed back in, only for an engine failure to end his challenge before he could turn the pressure into a victory.

Ayrton Senna inherited second, with Michael Schumacher closing after the late tyre stops. A slow stop had cost Ayrton Senna much of his cushion, but Michael Schumacher‘s pursuit was checked when he ran wide while passing Alessandro Zanardi‘s smoking Lotus. That allowed the McLaren driver to protect the position.

Alain Prost reached the finish ahead of Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, with Riccardo Patrese fourth. Michael Andretti finally opened his Formula 1 points account in fifth, and Gerhard Berger completed the scorers. It was the only Grand Prix podium shared by Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

After the race, Alain Prost headed the drivers’ standings with 34 points, followed by Ayrton Senna on 32. Williams led the constructors’ table on 46, with McLaren on 34.

1993 Spanish Grand Prix race results

The 1993 Spanish Grand Prix was held on 9 May 1993, with a scheduled start of 14:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	2	Alain Prost	Williams	65	1:32:27.685	10
2	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	65	+ 16.873	6
3	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	65	+ 27.125	4
4	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	64	+ 1 Lap	3
5	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	64	+ 1 Lap	2
6	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	63	+ 2 Laps	1
7	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	63	+ 2 Laps	0
8	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	63	+ 2 Laps	0
9	20	Érik Comas	Larrousse	63	+ 2 Laps	0
10	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	63	+ 2 Laps	0
11	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	62	+ 3 Laps	0
12	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	62	+ 3 Laps	0
13	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	62	+ 3 Laps	0
14	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	60	Engine	0
Ret	30	JJ Lehto	Sauber	53	Engine	0
Ret	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	43	Overheating	0
Ret	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	42	Fuel system	0
Ret	0	Damon Hill	Williams	41	Engine	0
Ret	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	40	Oil Leak	0
Ret	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	37	Spun off	0
Ret	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	26	Transmission	0
Ret	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	11	Tyre	0
Ret	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	11	Spun off	0
Ret	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	2	Suspension	0
DSQ	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	42	Push start	0

1993 Spanish Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time
1	5	Michael Schumacher	Benetton	61	1:20.989
2	8	Ayrton Senna	McLaren	61	1:21.717
3	0	Damon Hill	Williams	40	1:22.840
4	2	Alain Prost	Williams	38	1:22.923
5	7	Michael Andretti	McLaren	59	1:23.791
6	14	Rubens Barrichello	Jordan	54	1:24.085
7	6	Riccardo Patrese	Benetton	33	1:24.785
8	29	Karl Wendlinger	Sauber	36	1:24.933
9	28	Gerhard Berger	Ferrari	51	1:25.065
10	11	Alessandro Zanardi	Lotus	59	1:25.246
11	26	Mark Blundell	Ligier	58	1:25.543
12	27	Jean Alesi	Ferrari	39	1:25.729
13	9	Derek Warwick	Footwork	59	1:25.795
14	23	Christian Fittipaldi	Minardi	55	1:25.816
15	30	Jyrki Jarvilehto	Sauber	47	1:25.824
16	15	Thierry Boutsen	Jordan	48	1:25.824
17	20	Erik Comas	Larrousse	49	1:26.381
18	10	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork	58	1:27.006
19	4	Andrea de Cesaris	Tyrrell	42	1:27.268
20	19	Philippe Alliot	Larrousse	23	1:27.453
21	24	Fabrizio Barbazza	Minardi	33	1:27.899
22	22	Luca Badoer	Lola	41	1:28.633
23	3	Ukyo Katayama	Tyrrell	11	1:29.569
24	25	Martin Brundle	Ligier	7	1:29.805
25	12	Johnny Herbert	Lotus	2	1:38.480

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 Spanish Grand Prix.

1993 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Alain Prost	French	Williams	34
2	Ayrton Senna	Brazilian	McLaren	32
3	Michael Schumacher	German	Benetton	14
4	Damon Hill	British	Williams	12
5	Mark Blundell	British	Ligier	6
6	Johnny Herbert	British	Lotus	6
7	Riccardo Patrese	Italian	Benetton	5
8	JJ Lehto	Finnish	Sauber	5
9	Martin Brundle	British	Ligier	4
10	Christian Fittipaldi	Brazilian	Minardi	3
11	Philippe Alliot	French	Larrousse	2
12	Michael Andretti	American	McLaren	2
13	Fabrizio Barbazza	Italian	Minardi	2
14	Gerhard Berger	Austrian	Ferrari	2
15	Alessandro Zanardi	Italian	Lotus	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
–	Thierry Boutsen	Belgian	Jordan	0
–	Karl Wendlinger	Austrian	Sauber	0
–	Andrea de Cesaris	Italian	Tyrrell	0
–	Ukyo Katayama	Japanese	Tyrrell	0
–	Ivan Capelli	Italian	Jordan	0

1993 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Williams	46
2	McLaren	34
3	Benetton	19
4	Ligier	10
5	Lotus	7
6	Sauber	5
7	Minardi	5
8	Larrousse	2
9	Ferrari	2
–	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