The championship was again decided at the final round in Japan where once again the two protagonists where Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. This time the McLaren driver shunted the Ferrari rival's car off the track at the first corner. Fortunately, neither was hurt, but the fall out from this dangerous manoeuvre would rumble on for some months.

Senna edged Prost by six wins to five, whilst a rejuvenated Nelson Piquet scored two wins for Benetton, whilst Mansell, Patrese and Boutsen took a win apiece.

The Grand Prix career of Alessandro Nannini came to and abrupt end when he was involved in a helicopter accident, whilst the promising Martin Donnelly was very indeed lucky to survive a violent accident at Jerez.