Detroit Grand Prix 1985 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Keke Rosberg delivered a masterful victory on the punishing Detroit street circuit, showcasing the car control and racecraft that had made him the 1982 World Champion. The Finnish driver navigated the bumpy concrete walls and unforgiving barriers with precision, capitalizing on reliability issues for the McLarens and Lotuses to score Williams's first victory of the season. Rosberg's win demonstrated that Honda's turbo partnership with Williams was beginning to bear fruit, though reliability remained elusive.

Ferrari secured second and third places through Johansson and Alboreto, maintaining their championship challenge despite missing victory. The punishing nature of the Detroit circuit, with its lack of runoff areas and concrete barriers lining every corner, created a war of attrition that eliminated many frontrunners. Prost and Senna both retired, allowing Rosberg to capitalize on his experience and smooth driving style. The victory provided encouragement for Williams and Honda as they developed the partnership that would dominate 1986 and 1987, while demonstrating that street circuits favored reliability and precision over outright speed.