“Eau Rouge, flat out”

Thierry Boutsen was excellent throughout the week-end on the super-fast circuit of Spa-Francorchamps during the 1988 Belgian Grand Prix. He declared: “I really love this circuit; these fast corners are a real challenge and the B188 is the first car with enough downforce, for me to pass Eau Rouge flat out.”

The Belgian qualified his Benetton B188-Ford, designed by South-African Rory Byrne, in sixth position just ahead of team-mate Alessandro Nannini.

The McLaren-Honda’s (MP4/4) of Senna and Prost (picture below) were out of reach. They qualified first and second and dominated the race, Senna winning from Prost by a 30 seconds margin. Thierry Boutsen moved his way up gradually to third and scored a fantastic podium in front of his delighted home crowd.

The two Benetton cars finished third and fourth, but later were disqualified for using irregular fuel, so the third spot was awarded to Ivan Capelli in his March-Judd.