1993
SEASON

Drivers and constructors

The following teams and drivers competed in the 1993 FIA Formula One World Championship. All teams competed with tyres supplied by Goodyear .

Team changes

The worldwide early 1990s recession had taken its toll: the Brabham , Andrea Moda and Fondmetal teams had failed to complete the 1992 season, while March formally withdrew at the beginning of 1993. Thus, there were only 13 teams on the grid at the opening race of 1993, in South Africa . The Swiss Sauber team were the only new entry to the grid in 1993, with much-publicised backing from German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz , who were funding the team's engine supplier, Ilmor . Under the instruction of Mercedes, the engines were badged as "Saubers" for their debut season and "Concept by Mercedes-Benz" decals were placed on the car's engine cover. Jordan switched from using Yamaha V12 engines to the new Hart V10 . Well known British Formula One engine maker and tuner Hart Racing Engines were making their full time Grand Prix return in 1993 after last being in Formula One in early 1986 with their 4 cylinder 415T turbo engine . Between 1990 and 1992, Brian Hart 's company had been involved in doing freelance tuning work for some Formula One teams using the old Cosworth DFR V8 engine including Arrows , Tyrrell , Larrousse and AGS , but retur... Numerous car number changes had taken place:

Driver changes

1993 saw a major shake-up of drivers, especially among the top teams. Across the grid, a number of experienced drivers retired or moved to other series, and new faces emerged. In all, only seven drivers who lined up on the grid in South Africa were with the same team they had been with the previous year: Ayrton Senna , Michael Schumacher , Jean Alesi , Johnny Herbert , Andrea de Cesaris , Aguri Suzuki and Christian Fittipaldi .

Technical regulations

Various changes were implemented to the cars in order to reduce cornering speeds: Also, the surface area of the driver's headrest was increased from 80 cm 2 (12 sq in) to 400 cm 2 (62 sq in).

Sporting and event regulations

The pit lane speed limit was lowered to 50 km/h (31 mph) in practice sessions. Severe crowd control measures were imposed to stop spectators entering the track at the end of the race, and most certainly before that.

Mid-season changes

After the first race of the season, two changes were made to the qualifying system:

Round 1: South Africa

The season began in Kyalami, where Prost took pole position ahead of Senna in second. Prost had a poor start and with Senna and Hill overtaking him. Hill spun in front of Prost and lost position, while Prost let Schumacher through into second position. Senna led ahead of Schumacher by the end of the first lap. Prost overtook Schumacher for second place on lap 13. On lap 18 Prost attempted to overtake Senna, but Senna took the defensive inside line. However, on lap 25 Prost overtook Senna for the lead, whilst Schumacher passed Senna for second position. Shortly after Senna and Schumacher pitted with Senna rejoining ahead. Schumacher attempted to overtake Senna on lap 40 but came into contact with Senna's car and spun, retiring him from the race. Patrese was holding third position when he spun on lap 47 as Fittipaldi passed Lehto. Prost won the race with Senna in second position, Blundell in third, Fittipaldi in fourth and Lehto in fifth. This was the final South African Grand Prix to date.

Round 2: Brazil

Brazilian qualifying ended with a Williams front row, with Prost on pole and Hill in second. Senna qualified in third, with Schumacher in fourth and Andretti in fifth. Senna got ahead of Hill at the beginning of the race as behind him Andretti collided with Berger after being challenged by Wendlinger. Andretti then hit the barriers launching him directly over Berger's car, both drivers were uninjured. This meant that they both retired from the race, as did Brundle and Barbazza. On lap 4 Patrese retired due to suspension failure. Whilst Prost extended his lead, Senna was under pressure from Hill who overtook him for second place on lap 11. On lap 25 Senna was given a stop-go penalty after overtaking a backmarker under yellow flags, which meant he re-entered the race behind Schumacher. Heavy rain then caused many drivers to spin with Fittipaldi and Prost retiring. Fittipaldi spun on lap 30 and as he was returning to the track Prost crashed into him. After the accident th... As the track began to dry out drivers stopped for dry tyres and during Schumacher's pit-stop his car fell off its jack. Schumacher rejoined the race behind Senna with Herbert and Blundell gaining pace. Shortly after Senna overtook Hill for first position and quickly began to pull away. Behind him Schumacher and Alesi were given stop-go penalties for overtaking under a yellow flag. Schumacher re-entered the race in fifth position and Alesi in ninth. Schumacher quickly overtook Blundell and Herber...