Complete calendar with 16 races
The 1990 Formula 1 season witnessed the explosive continuation of one of motorsport's most bitter rivalries, as Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost fought for supremacy in a championship battle that would be decided by one of the most controversial moments in the sport's history. After their acrimonious split following the 1989 season, Prost had moved from McLaren to Ferrari alongside Nigel Mansell, while Senna remained at the dominant McLaren-Honda team with new teammate Gerhard Berger.
Senna opened the season with victory in Phoenix, immediately establishing himself as the favorite for the title. However, Prost struck back with wins in Brazil, Mexico, France, and Britain, demonstrating that Ferrari had given him a genuinely competitive car. The intense rivalry between the two champions dominated the season's narrative, with Senna claiming six victories to Prost's five as they traded blows throughout the 16-race calendar.
The championship battle came down to the penultimate round at Suzuka, Japan - the same circuit where their relationship had irreparably fractured twelve months earlier. Prost needed to win to keep his title hopes alive, while Senna could clinch the championship with a victory. Starting from pole position, Senna lost the lead to Prost at the start when race officials controversially moved the pole position to the dirty side of the track. What happened next shocked the racing world.
On the first lap, Senna drove his McLaren into the side of Prost's Ferrari at the first corner, sending both cars spinning into the gravel trap and out of the race. The collision immediately handed Senna his second World Championship, as Prost could no longer catch him in the points standings. Unlike their 1989 collision where Senna had been penalized, this time the Brazilian was unapologetic, later admitting the move was deliberate retaliation for what he perceived as political manipulation the previous year.
The incident sparked fierce debate about sportsmanship and acceptable racing conduct, with many criticizing Senna for winning the championship through what was effectively a premeditated crash. Senna defended his actions, citing the injustice of having pole position moved to the dirty side of the grid and the perceived favoritism shown toward Prost by FIA president Jean-Marie Balestre. The controversy would cast a long shadow over the sport and define the Senna-Prost rivalry.
Beyond the championship protagonists, the season saw impressive performances from several drivers. Jean Alesi announced himself as a star of the future with stunning drives for Tyrrell, including second place on his debut in Phoenix and a remarkable chase of Senna at Monaco. Nelson Piquet won his final two Grand Prix victories in Japan and Australia for Benetton, while Thierry Boutsen scored two wins for Williams. The season was also marked by tragedy when Martin Donnelly suffered a horrific crash at Jerez, though he survived his life-threatening injuries.
McLaren secured their third consecutive Constructors' Championship with 121 points, narrowly beating Ferrari's 110 points despite the Scuderia's strong challenge. The season marked the end of the turbocharged era's dominance and showcased the sport's transition toward the normally aspirated V10 and V12 engines that would define the early 1990s. Senna's championship triumph, tarnished though it was by the Suzuka controversy, confirmed his status as Formula 1's fastest and most ruthless competitor.
The 1990 season would be remembered not for the quality of racing or technical innovation, but for the moment at Suzuka's first corner that epitomized the dark side of championship ambition. Senna had his revenge on Prost, his second world title, and the satisfaction of settling their score on his terms. The bitter rivalry had produced one of Formula 1's most controversial champions, and the sport would spend years debating whether the end justified the means.