Street Fight in Phoenix
September 29, 2015 by Jeremy McMullenAfter the controversial end to the 1989 season it was more than obvious Ayrton Senna would come into the first round of the 1990 season with guns blazing. And why not? Senna was widely regarded as the best driver in Formula One and believed himself destined to win. So then it seemed inconsequential when a foreigner driving a Tyrrell stepped onto his turf. Certainly, a battle would ensue. The only question remaining would be 'Who would be left standing?' Senna's decision to race the 1990 season would come relatively late. The passionately focused mystic had decided to race, but there was little doubt concerning the source of his motivation. He was not about to be generous. If anything, he was prepared to be as ruthless as was needed. Jean Alesi, on the other hand, was not Senna's mortal enemy, but he was, very simply, another obstacle Ayrton wasn't about to tolerate if he got in his way at any time. But Jean was not motor racing royalty. He certainly had a God-given talent, but he had worked hard over the last few years to be in Formula One. He too was a fighter, and he wasn't about to back down himself. The stage was set for a battle no one suspected was coming. Around the 2.3 mile Phoenix street course it seemed many were keen for a fight. Certainly, the conditions would have a role to play, but the usual dominance of the top teams appeared very much in doubt. Perhaps the biggest surprise of them all would be Pierluigi Martini. He came riding into town on what many considered a horse of impure blood. The Minardi seemed incapable of the pace of the front-runners. And yet, he would finish qualifying on the front row of the grid. A McLaren on pole was not a surprise, but Berger, instead of Senna, certainly was. Then there was Andrea de Cesaris in his Dallara-Ford. Just three-tenths of a second slower than Berger, he would start third on the grid. Jean Alesi would further spice things up beating Senna by a couple of hundredths to take fourth on the grid. It was, therefore, an incredible understatement to say things were different heading into the United States Grand Prix. The setting for this 75 lap turf war would be rather ideal. Yes, the United States would be an important market for Formula One, but many would way the part of Phoenix in which the race took part was not exactly suited to the glamorous world of Formula One. It seemed better suited to territorial cultures than the elite of motor racing. But, given the animosity brewing within Formula One's greatest names at the time, the setting was, in many respects, perfect for a brawl. The conditions were overcast and cool as Formula One entered its fifth decade. As the lights turned green to start the race, Berger would be away in fine fashion and would lead on the run down to the first turn. However, Alesi would use Berger's slip-stream and pulled to the inside, out-braking the Austrian into the turn to take the lead. Less than races into his Formula One career and Alesi showed the way in a very veteran fashion. Alesi would make an incredible start. While Senna stalked de Cesaris for third, Jean would complete the first lap with more than a second in hand over Berger. The Frenchman would continue to stretch his lead early while the favorites struggled to move forward. It would be a hectic first couple of laps. There would be unknowns at the front. Then there would be a number of others who would have to make visits to pit row as a result of damage suffered. One of those that would have to make a visit to the pits would be Riccardo Patrese. He would try an ill-advised move in his Williams. He would back out of it at the last moment, but it would be a little too late. His car's nose would be damaged with a portion of the bodywork flying back and hitting him in the head.
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Alesi, meanwhile, would be pulling away from Berger hand over fist. Senna would finally dispatch de Cesaris and would be in pursuit of his teammate. It was still early but the Brazilian was beginning to waste no time tracking down any intruders. As quickly as Jean was leaving him behind, Berger would find himself being reeled in by his teammate. The first to fall to Senna's relentless pursuit had been de Cesaris. Very soon afterward, Berger would find himself the prey and the pressure would be quickly building. Sensing the pressure of being hunted, the Austrian would push hard. Unfortunately, he would hit a bump entering a corner. This would upset the McLaren and would cause him to turn the car around and back it into a tire wall. Just like that, and without a fight, Ayrton was through into second. Alesi was still in the lead, but there was a very possessive man wearing a bright yellow helmet lagging not far behind. The young man intruding on what was considered Senna's turf needed to push with everything he had and the race was still not even two-thirds over. A one car posse was on its way. It was time to see what the Frenchman could do in his overmatched Tyrrell. Jean would do everything he could. It would be nearly 30 laps before Ayrton would be in a position to battle for what he believed was his already. The stand-off was not well and truly joined. The question was whether Alesi and his Tyrrell could put up a respectable fight. It was clearly obvious Alesi felt the pressure. More than a few times each lap he would hang the back end of the car out dangerously, at times coming close to touching the wall. It appeared out of control, and yet, maintained control. Senna was on the hunt, out to defend his turf; there was a bounty to collect. His chief rival, Prost, would be busy defending his minor position when smoke started spewing from the Ferrari's rear end. After 21 laps, the Ferrari would give up the fight altogether. Therefore, if there was going to be anyone to challenge Senna it was going to have to be Alesi. Finally, Senna would be tucked up right behind the Tyrrell coming down the long straight. Ayrton would pull out and go down the inside of Alesi. However, Jean would prove he was going to have none of it going to the inside of the very next corner. It would be an impressive move as Alesi squeezed his way to the inside of the McLaren doing to Senna what the Brazilian often liked to do to others—make the other driver decide if he or she was going to have an accident or not. Senna would choose prudence and would give way to Alesi. Jean was back in the lead having shown some fight. He was not intimidated by one of the most intimidating racers in the world. Ayrton had a legitimate challenge on his hands. Senna would attempt the same maneuver in the very same spot the next lap. But this time would be different. Using his arsenal of experience, Ayrton would make the inside move and then would drift out wide on the exit to block Alesi's attempt to fight back into the inside of the next corner. Jean would not be phased and would actually look to pounce on the exit of the corner. He knew he could not let Senna escape, or else, his chance at victory would be likely lost for the remainder of the race. The two men were in a fine scrap. Senna, the de facto number one in the sport, regarded the streets as his turf. Alesi, on the other hand, would show he would have none of it. Through the next few corners Jean would fight back. However, by the end of the lap Senna would be in complete control. Jean had suffered some wounds, but he showed he deserved respect. The sun began to peak from behind the clouds. Ayrton policed his territory with complete authority. He had considered Prost, Berger, Mansell and some others. They had all been driven from what was his. However, there was one Senna had really failed to fully consider, as well as completely get rid of. Alesi was out of the lead, but he had managed to move in on Senna's territory. He had not only slipped in; he had shown an ability to stand his ground as well. Senna's cruise to victory would not be without trouble. His reign as king of the Phoenix streets was assured by a little more than eight seconds, but not all was right and well. Senna had emerged victorious, but it had come at a cost. He had suffered some wounds and looked far the worse for wear in the remaining moments as he would have to back off the pace to ensure his sick-sounding McLaren could complete the distance. There were obvious disparities in budgets between McLaren and Tyrrell, and yet, it was Senna that was having to back off to make it to the flag. Alesi had performed admirably all day. Ayrton had built up a lead of more than twenty seconds. However, the Brazilian had to respect the Frenchman. He had put up a fight and had caused some wounds. Senna would hold on to win the race, but the final margin of a little more than eight seconds clearly suggested it had cost him something. The victor of the brawl in Phoenix would be as expected. But, it had not been an easy fight by any means. The challenger from Avignon had fought with honor and inflicted some wounds and came out the other side none the worse for wear. He had finished second. He had missed victory, but not by very much. From that moment on it would be well known the Frenchman was ready to fight, and possibly win. Sources:
'Grand Prix Results: United States GP, 1990', (http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr485.html). GrandPrix.com. http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr485.html. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
'Grand Prix Classics: Rookie Hamilton Wins on Vettel Debut, while Senna Denies Alesi Chance to Live the American Dream', (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-2507351/US-GRAND-PRIX-CLASSICS-Lewis-Hamilton-wins-Sebastian-Vettels-debut-Ayrton-Senna-denies-Jean-Alesi-victory.html). Mail Online. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-2507351/US-GRAND-PRIX-CLASSICS-Lewis-Hamilton-wins-Sebastian-Vettels-debut-Ayrton-Senna-denies-Jean-Alesi-victory.html. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
F1-USA GP 1990-Race-Part 1. Video. (1990). Retrieved 12 May 2015 from http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x127yho_f1-usa-gp-1990-race-part-1_sport.
F1-USA GP 1990-Race-Part 2. Video. (1990). Retrieved 12 May 2015 from http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1285on_f1-usa-gp-1990-race-part-2_sport.
Wikipedia contributors, '1990 United States Grand Prix', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 6 March 2015, 08:11 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1990_United_States_Grand_Prix&oldid=650117292 accessed 13 May 2015
Wikipedia contributors, '1990 Formula One season', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 24 April 2015, 21:13 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1990_Formula_One_season&oldid=659048861 accessed 13 May 2015
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