Australian Grand Prix 1989 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Thierry Boutsen claimed his second victory of the season at Adelaide's season-ending Australian Grand Prix, controlling the race from pole position while Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost - no longer teammates after Prost's move to Ferrari was confirmed - both retired. The Belgian led home Alessandro Nannini's Benetton and teammate Riccardo Patrese for Williams-Renault's second one-two finish, demonstrating the British team's progress toward the dominance they would achieve in the early 1990s.

The Australian Grand Prix provided a subdued conclusion to one of Formula 1's most controversial seasons, with Prost's championship already secured at Suzuka and the Senna-Prost relationship irreparably damaged. Boutsen's victory was popular in the paddock, rewarding his consistent performances throughout the season with his second career win. For Williams-Renault, the result confirmed their status as Formula 1's emerging force, with their naturally aspirated V10 engine and advanced active suspension technology creating a platform for future success. The season concluded with Prost champion but widely criticized for the Suzuka collision, while Senna finished second in the standings despite winning more races (6 to Prost's 4), setting up their rivalry's next chapter when they would race for different teams in 1990.