On October 6, 1985, Alain Prost clinched his first Formula 1 championship at the age of 30, marking a defining moment in his racing career. This victory came at the European Grand Prix held at Brands Hatch, where Prost’s dominant performance secured his status as the new world champion in the high-pressure environment of Formula 1.
Prost’s Lead and Rivals Heading into Brands Hatch
Prior to the European Grand Prix, Prost held a 16-point advantage over his closest competitor, Michele Alboreto of Ferrari. To guarantee the championship title at Brands Hatch, Prost needed to extend that gap to 18 points, making the English circuit a critical battleground. Known for his consistent podium finishes, Prost had already won 21 races in his career, establishing himself as the fifth most winning driver in history, behind legends like Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark, Niki Lauda, and Juan Manuel Fangio.
That season, Prost demonstrated near-total control of the championship. Although Ayrton Senna often claimed pole positions, Prost’s race-day strategies and consistency put him ahead. His teammate, Niki Lauda, struggled with reliability problems and injury, including a broken wrist at Spa-Francorchamps, resulting in a limited number of completed races for the Austrian veteran.
Qualifying Challenges and Early Race Drama
At Brands Hatch, Senna secured his sixth pole position with the Lotus 97T Renault, outrunning Nelson Piquet’s Brabham and Nigel Mansell’s Williams Honda. Prost, however, qualified only sixth, over two seconds behind Senna, complicating his path to the title. Lauda’s temporary replacement, John Watson, lagged further back in 21st. With Alboreto qualifying 15th, his hopes of closing Prost’s points lead seemed unlikely.
The race start troubled Prost immediately. Keke Rosberg’s sluggish launch from the Williams ahead forced Prost off the track, dropping him to 14th place. Nevertheless, Prost displayed his trademark determination, climbing steadily through the ranks and reaching the points-paying positions within just nine laps, as only the top six scored points at that time.
Turning Points: Overtakes and Mechanical Setbacks
Rosberg’s spin while attempting to pass Senna triggered a chain reaction, involving Piquet and leading to Piquet’s retirement. Rosberg also blocked Senna briefly, allowing Mansell to seize the lead and build a gap. Alboreto, meanwhile, suffered a turbo failure just 13 laps into the race after an early pit stop, effectively ending his challenge for the title. This left Prost needing only a fifth-place finish to secure the championship.
Among the standout performers in the race were Marc Surer for Brabham and Jacques Laffite with Ligier. Both moved into podium contention before mechanical issues struck; Surer retired due to turbo failure, and Laffite later faced engine trouble following a tire pit stop. These developments shaped the closing stages, allowing Prost to capitalize on his rivals’ misfortunes.
Prost’s Climb to the Podium and Championship Glory
With 25 laps remaining, Prost was seventh but steadily advanced as competitors faltered, overtaking Elio de Angelis and benefiting from Stefan Johansson’s mechanical problems to move into third place. Although Mansell won the race, Rosberg overtook Prost on lap 65, pushing the Frenchman back to fourth. Despite missing the podium, Prost’s point tally was enough to capture his first world title.
Reflecting on that moment in his 1988 autobiography Maitre de mon destin, Prost described the overwhelming emotion he felt:
I remember that, behind my visor, my eyes were misty,
the Frenchman wrote.
This was the sign of a deep and intense joy I wanted to feel first and foremost for myself alone, before thinking about my loved ones and everyone who helped me. Then, before I even emerged from my cockpit, it was champagne time. Then the podium, which now had a fourth step – the world champion’s. And finally, the frenzy of the celebrations…
Legacy and Aftermath of Prost’s Championship
Following his first title, Prost went on to become one of the sport’s all-time greats, securing three additional championships and setting records for wins, fastest laps, podium finishes, and points scored. His 51 victories led the sport until later surpassed by other legends, reflecting his consistency and skill.
The 1985 season marked the end of an era for teammate Niki Lauda, who retired at the conclusion of the year, reportedly frustrated by Prost’s rising dominance. Lauda later admitted:
I hated having him as a team-mate,
the Austrian confessed.
I had this perfect car, and then this French pain in the ass arrives and blows me away. If he hadn’t turned up I’d have gone on for another few years.
Prost’s historic success at Brands Hatch established him as a formidable figure in Formula 1 history, highlighting the arrival of a new world champion and setting the stage for intense rivalries and remarkable achievements in the years that followed.
