Monza 1988 – Ferrari breaks the trend

Twenty five years ago Gerhard Berger shocked the F1 world by breaking the McLaren streak of victories at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. If ever there was a display of divine intervention it happened in this race.

It was the only race McLaren failed to win that year and it came just weeks after the death of the the legendary Ferrari founder, Enzo Ferrari. The late Michele Alboreto finished second to Berger making it a memorable 1-2 finish for Ferrari. It was the Scuderias first victory at Monza since Jody Scheckter won in 1979.

If ever there was a display of divine intervention it happened in this race. Ayrton Senna held a supreme lead and was on the way to McLaren’s twelfth straight victory of the season when he tripped over Jean-Louis Schlesser in the Williams. Undoubtedly it was Sennas error as he clumsily cut across the front of the hapless driver who was standing in for the chicken-pox affected Nigel Mansell. Senna was out on the spot and handed the win to the ecstatic Berger, recording one of F1’s most memorable wins.