Keke's diary

Qualified: 6th Result: 2nd

The Österreichring qualifying performance of the year, not in terms of position, but in terms of performance. Less than a tenth slower than Amoux’s Renaultand quickest Cosworth runner by 1.3sec.

“It was a combination of having a great car on a circuit with the type of corners that I loved. Boschkurve was one of those where you have to drive or die. Phenomenal.”

As were the closing laps. With five laps to go, Rosberg was gaining on de Angelis’ second-placed Lotus. A lap later they were disputing the lead, while Prost stood beside his burning Renault.

“I don’t think Elio would have fought me so hard if we had been going for second, but now he was going for his first win and so was I. If I had caught him sooner, I could have practiced my attack, but I’d lost four seconds lapping Laffite. So I only had this one chance on the final lap at the Rindikurve.

“I wasn’t brave enough to go on the outside. I should have been. Instead I went to the inside and he blocked me, which meant I was too close to him to get on the throttle.

“I was happy for Elio; if I had to lose to someone, I was glad it was him. Maybe I didn’t risk everything because he was a good mate. And perhaps also at the bock of my mind was the possibility of the championship.”

Championship positions:

1 Pironi 29;

2 Rosberg 33;

3 Watson 30;

4 Lauda 26;

5 Prost 25;

6 de Angelis 22;