1989 Formula One season

The 1989 Formula One season was the 40th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1989 FIA Formula One World Championship, which commenced on 26 March 1989 and ended on 5 November after sixteen races. Alain Prost won his third Drivers' World Championship, and McLaren won the Constructors' Championship.

The championship was decided under controversial circumstances as Prost and team mate Ayrton Senna collided at low speed in the final chicane during the Japanese Grand Prix. Prost stalled and retired, whilst Senna got pushed back onto the track by the marshals, only to be disqualified after taking the race win for not taking the track correctly whilst being pushed back. This handed Prost his third world title and his last at McLaren, leaving the team at the end of the season.

The following teams and drivers competed in the 1989 FIA Formula One World Championship.

The climate as the Formula One circus arrived at Jacarepaguá was one of much optimism in what many saw as a new age, with many revelling in the brutal and much more appealing sounds of the V10 and V12 engines. Brazil proved to be an excitement filled race, and dramatic too. Qualifying had a few surprises, with Riccardo Patrese, scoring his first front row start since 1983, next to the home favourite, world champion Ayrton Senna. Williams and Renault were both surprised by the position, but both highly pleased with Thierry Boutsen qualifying fourth alongside the high powered Ferrari of Berger and in front of Prost who could only manage 5th.

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