1985 F1 Season

The 1985 Formula One World Championship, the 39th season of FIA Formula One motor racing, was a year of significant milestones and intense competition. Alain Prost, driving for McLaren, won his first of four Drivers’ Championships, finishing the season with a substantial 23-point lead. The championship, which began on 7 April and concluded on 3 November, spanned sixteen races. Prost’s victory was a testament to his skill and consistency, finally securing the title after narrowly missing out in the previous two seasons. McLaren also retained the Constructors’ Championship, dominating for the second consecutive year.

1985 was also notable for the retirement of three-time World Champion Niki Lauda, who concluded his illustrious 13-year career in Formula One. The season saw strong performances from other drivers, including Michele Alboreto of Ferrari, who finished second, and Keke Rosberg of Williams, who secured third place in the championship. The year was marked by the emergence of new talents and the continued evolution of turbocharged engines, which were now universally used, leading to unprecedented levels of power in the sport. The season also witnessed the return of the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, a track popular with drivers for its fast and flowing layout. However, the year was tinged with sadness due to the deaths of rising stars Stefan Bellof and Manfred Winkelhock in separate World Sports Car Championship races, highlighting the ongoing concerns about safety in motorsport.