1st, That Race in Adelaide: Prost's Unforgettable Last-Lap Triumph in Championship Showdown
“It’s a long way down here, isn’t it?” said Alain Prost. “I must say I’m glad to have a chance of winning the title, even if it’s a small one…” This was Adelaide in October 1986, and Prost had that chance because of a brilliant drive in Mexico two weeks earlier.
Through the year his McLaren-TAG had been outpowered by the Williams–Hondas of Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, and while there had been demonstrations of his driving superiority – at Monaco he simply left everyone behind – he remained in title contention because he unfailingly got the maximum from his car, because his racecraft was without equal.
“In Mexico Alain drove a truly incredible race,” said Ron Dennis. “We’ve always had a lot less power than the Williams-Hondas, but this time – to make it worse – he was on five cylinders for half the race and didn’t dare to make a second tyre stop, for fear of losing the engine. On a very abrasive track he had to make two sets last the whole race: Mansell needed three, and Piquet four. Alain finished ahead of both of them…”
Prost’s other surpassing skill, in that era, was juggling speed and fuel. In 1986 there was a restriction of 195 litres for a race, and it took a lot of will to keep your boost down in the early laps, while less disciplined rivals charged away.