Keke's diary

Qualified: 6th Result: Retired

After a poor start, Keke passed Alboreto on lap 21 and was fifth, behind de Cesaris.

“After some problems in qualifying, I thought we had a very good car for the race, but I had been behind de Cesaris for almost 50 laps. He had a problem with his engine and I still couldn’t get past. It baked like I was going to be stuck there.

“Well, the chicane after the tunnel was very fast in those days, and very narrow, like threading a needle, and I went through there really quick this time. But I was so close to his Alfa Romeo all I could see was his rear wing, and I clipped a kerb and bent the suspension.

“I was bitterly disappointed; Monaco is about waiting, and I should have had a better brain that day. I could have got fourth because Andrea broke down. Well, everyone broke down, as I recall. But only a Brabham was allowed a pushstart, because it was ‘stopped in a dangerous place’. Parked on a sidewalk.”

Championship positions:

1 Prost 18;

2 Watson; 17/p>

3 Pironi; 16

4 Rosberg; 14

5 Patrese; 13

6 Lauda; 12