64th, Patrese's Fortunate Win Amidst Chaos at Monaco Grand Prix
Ever since his pole-setting Renault team-mate René Arnoux had spun out of a big lead on lap 15, Alain Prost had been calmly making a mockery of the old saw that a turbo couldn’t win in Monaco.
For some reason, however, he was unwilling to slacken his pace when the drizzle began with 10 laps to complete. This Prost still had some rough edges in need of polishing.
Riccardo Patrese had been fast and composed all weekend. He qualified second, and though outgunned by Prost’s boost on the second lap, had kept the Frenchman honest (and a little worried, apparently) while holding the Ferrari of Didier Pironi at bay. But Prost’s wheel-shedding crash at the Chicane on lap 74 (of 76) changed everything.
Now in the lead, Patrese, who was chasing his first GP win, appeared helpless as he spun in slow-mo at Loews Hairpin – and stalled. Murray Walker’s trousers, smoking after Prost’s shunt, went up in a flash.