Schumacher inspects the McLaren

Michael Schumacher, a Benetton driver, inspects Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/8 at the 1993 South African Grand Prix held at Kyalami (picture-above). Schumacher was right to do so: the McLaren will prove, with five wins, to be very competitive in the hands of Senna during this 1993 season.

This South African Grand Prix was the first race of the 1993 Formula One season. The 72-lap race was won by Alain Prost, driving a Williams-Renault. Prost, returning to Formula One after taking the 1992 season off, took pole position, dominated the race and won by over a minute from Ayrton Senna (McLaren-Ford). Briton Mark Blundell finished an excellent third in a Ligier-Renault.

On lap 40, Michael Schumacher was third and attacked Senna. There was contact and Schumacher spun off into retirement. With this dominant victory, the 1993 season started well for the returning Prost, in his quest for a fourth drivers’ title.

Must be noted: Christian Fittipaldi, son of Wilson and nephew of the great Emerson Fittipaldi, drove an excellent race and finished fourth in a Minardi! It will remain the best result of his F1 career (picture-below).