The two McLaren MP4/4-Honda V6 turbocharged cars simply annihilated every-one, finishing the 60-lap race 2.334 sec apart, but a whole lap in front of the third man. Ayrton Senna was on pole position and led from start to finish, while his team-mate Alain Prost netted the fastest race-lap. In third place was reigning World Champion Nelson Piquet, his Lotus 100T using an identical Honda power plant, but he was nearly three seconds slower on his best lap.
That was the simple part of the San Marino GP. For the rest of the time, from Thursday until Sunday night, it was a disastrous meeting for everyone, the disasters ranging from simple ones easily corrected to major ones which will probably have long term effects.
Thursday is usually a fairly uncomplicated day, with the transporters, motor homes, hospitality-units, trade stands, workshop equipment and racing cars all in position. The scrutineers go quietly about their job of checking all the cars, the paperwork is verified and mechanics can be seen washing off the travel-stains from the huge articulated lorries and trailers, so that everything is spick and span when practice begins on Friday morning.
