The cost of Grand Prix racing escalated once more, as engineers coaxed an incredible 1100bhp for qualifying and 900bhp in race trim for their turbocharged missiles. Although Alain Prost deservedly won his first World Championship taking five wins, he had to withstand challenges from Alboreto with the Ferrari and the Williams pair of Rosberg and Mansell whose Williams-Hondas finished the year as the pacesetters.

It was a breakthrough year for Ayrton Senna who had been signed up by Lotus and he showed his incredible skill in wet-weather with a brilliant win in Portugal. Niki Lauda retired again (this time there would be no comeback) and his final year was highlighted by a win in the Dutch Grand Prix.

Renault, after a couple of lacklustre years, pulled out as an entrant but would continue to provide their power plants to Lotus and Tyrrell, whilst the venerable Cosworth V8 was finally pensioned off having scored an incredible total of 155 Grand Prix wins.

Germany suffered a terrible blow with the loss of both Stefan Beloff and Manfred Winkelhock who were both killed in sports car racing accidents.