HONDA The Power of Dreams

In 1992, McLaren Honda started the season in South Africa with the MP4/6B, an improved version of the previous year’s reliable and more proven model, but it soon became clear that it was no match for the Williams Renault. The trend for F1 cars had shifted away from engine power to the pursuit of chassis performance, making extensive use of aerodynamic devices and electronic control. Well ahead of schedule, the MP4/7A was introduced in Round 3, Brazil. It was, however, not enough to turn the tables, giving Williams’ Nigel Mansell wins in the first five rounds. Adding insult to injury, McLaren Honda and Ayrton Senna were also slower in qualifying, and managed only third place podium finishes in the opening and fifth rounds.

Williams’ momentum continued, with Mansell taking his sixth consecutive pole position in Round 6, Monaco. Senna was second on the grid, but in terms of lap times, was behind by a wide margin. In the race, Senna chased Mansell, who was well ahead and building an ever-increasing gap. Senna tried his best to control the car, but was unable to close in on the leader. The race was not over yet, though. With seven laps remaining in the 78-lap race, Mansell’s car suddenly had issues on the left-rear tire, and Williams decided to pit the car for a tire change. All four tires were replaced, and Mansell frantically exited the pits, but Senna, thundering toward the first turn, snatched the lead.

The battle had begun. Mansell was in furious pursuit, and Senna desperately tried to escape, but the gap gradually diminished. Senna’s lead, initially 5 seconds, shrunk to 4.3 seconds on the next lap, and to 1.9 seconds the next, and with 3 laps to go, Senna was caught. Car- and tire-wise, Senna was obviously at a disadvantage, but the narrow, tight street track with hardly any room to pass was on his side. Mansell pressured Senna to make a mistake, but Senna, skilfully blocked the Briton at the overtaking points. As the remaining laps wore down to two, then one, the crowd holding their breath, Senna crossed the finish line ahead of Mansell by 0.215 seconds, to claim his first win of the season.

This was Senna’s fifth win at the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, matching the record of the late Graham Hill (F1 Champion, Indy 500 winner, and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, the only triple crown winner in history).

Unlike other grands prix, Monaco is traditionally held in the royal box across from the control line, where the winner is honored by Rainier III, Prince of Monaco and the royal family. This was Senna’s fifth time. Meanwhile, Mansell, looking exhausted after climbing out of his Williams’ cockpit, approached Senna to congratulate him, and then slumped down on the track. Both drivers gave everything, fought fairly, and completed the tense race that went down in Monaco history as one of the most memorable battles of all time.