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The Austrian Grand Prix, held 40 years ago today, produced a pot-boiler of a result in one of Formula 1’s most famously close championship fights.
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Nigel Mansell arrived leading the points standings in his Williams ahead of Brazilian duo Ayrton Senna (Lotus) and Nelson Piquet (Williams). All three retired, however.
Defending champion Alain Prost won for McLaren, lapping the entire field on the way, and moved himself decisively back into championship contention with four races remaining.
Benetton locked out the front row of the grid with their powerful BMW turbos. But pole-winner Teo Fabi immediately lost his advantage to team mate Gerhard Berger at the start, who took the lead of a grand prix for the first time in his career on home ground.
Read the full RaceFans report here:
Mansell retirement revives Prost’s title chances
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