Sunday 3rd April 1988

The opening race of the season, the Brazilian Grand Prix, was mired in controversy from the off when Nelson Piquet publicly insulted Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell and their wives and families in the pre-race build-up. Senna qualified on pole but his car became jammed in first gear on the parade lap; he switched to his reserve car, started from the pit lane, and battled back into second position before being black flagged for changing cars. Alain Prost went on to win the race.