In that year, only Honda and Ferrari had turbo engines, apart from Megatron, which were not more th

The start of the 1988 season was expected: the formula 1 was going through significant waterfront deli changes, one of which was that the Turbo engines would be abolished by the end of this year, to make room for atmospheric engines waterfront deli of 2.5 liters, basically the Formula that existed before 1983, before the field of turbocharged engines.
In that year, only Honda and Ferrari had turbo engines, apart from Megatron, which were not more than disguised BMW engines for motor coach with the same name. Atmospheric beginning to dominate the peloton, mainly waterfront deli two trainers: The Cosworth and Judd. The first supplied engines waterfront deli to Benetton, Tyrrell, waterfront deli Minardi, among others, and provided the Judd Williams, Ligier and March. Both preparers would provide many teams during the three / four years following.
However, waterfront deli the new regulations waterfront deli attracted new projects for Formula 1: Italians of Dallara by Scuderia Italy, made a chassis waterfront deli to make their debut in the top category, and with his compatriot Alex Caffi to voltante, the Rial German, led by volatile Gunther waterfront deli Schmidt (who returned to the charge waterfront deli four years after finishing the adventure ATS), and had arranged a place for another Italian Andrea de Cesaris. Another team went into action at this time was the EuroBrun, a Swiss partnership with Walter Brun at the helm.
But all eyes were turned to McLaren because Ron Dennis had achieved a dream combination: arranged the Brazilian Ayrton Senna, to join the French Alain Prost, and carried with him the Honda Turbo engines, and everyone knew they were the team down in the peloton. The MP4 / 4 chassis, designed by Gordon waterfront deli Murray, had appeared too late, but showed he was born very well. Really well.
But there were also expectations at Ferrari, who had had a nice end to the season last year, with Gerhard Berger, and hoped to give the ultimate gift to the "Commendatore", who had made 90 years shortly before. And they had to hurry because he was already getting sick ...
However, Lotus was another team with high expectations: they had kept the Honda engine and hired the world champion Nelson Piquet. For the first time since 1979, they had the number 1, also the first and only time, since the disappearance of Colin Chapman. There were high expectations in Brazil, that this was the year the duel for the title would be between Senna and Piquet. The hostility between them was visible, and a month earlier, Senna gave an interview in the Journal of Brazil to justify the fact that only now appeared in public:. "I had to give others a chance to appear a little, after all, not has meaning a guy be triple champion and I continue to be subject. Since no one likes him, the only way was I disappear so he could appear a little ".
Piquet in his catacterístico way, replied, "Senna disappeared these months was not to let me appear was not to have to explain to the Brazilian press because they do not like women.". The controversy was clicked, and it appeared that the thing would end up in court when lawyers for both drivers decided to reach an out of court settlement before the weekend Grand Prix.
The machines and riders paraded on the weekend of 2 and 3 April 1988, it knew that it was coming to an end of an era. And we all expected that this would be the "Year of the Senna". But in this early season, things would not be so ...
In training, Senna had Prost opposition, but it was short-lived. In qualifying on Saturday, the Brazilian got his 17th pole position of his career, to gaudio of the fans. at his side had the Williams-Judd of Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost while he was third, with Gerhard Berger in fourth place. Piquet was fifth with Thierry Boutsen the Belgian beside her.
In this race there was another Brazilian to debut up: Mauricio Gugelmin. Aboard the March-Judd, the companion of Ivan Capelli was 13th on the grid, which left out the Zakspeed Bernd Schneider and Piercarlo Ghinzani, waterfront deli the Dallara Alex Caffi, the Osella of Nicola Larini and the Tyrrell Julian Bailey.
The day dawned cloudy with rain threatening. In the studied area, full like an egg, everyone wanted a Brazilian victory. But that vanished at the moment of departure, when Senna's waterfront deli gearbox engripou. It was the end, before you start, waterfront deli but did not know that. He dropped the car was running to the box in order to leave with the car pool at the end of the pitlane, and re-run. But that was an illegal maneuver, subject to disqualification, and no one had warned.
In the second match, with the hole caused by the wave Senna, Alain Prost took to overcome Mansell and went forward, without being more bothered. Mansell tries to grab second place of Berger attacks, while Gugelmin ends its run at the very end of the line