The Canon Williams Honda team arrived at the Estoril Circuit hoping to clinch the 1986 Constructors' World Championship and make positive steps towards clinching the Drivers' title too. The team led the Constructors' title chase by 42 points and drivers Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet headed the individual competition with 61 and 56 points respectively. Still in contention, however, were Alain Prost (McLaren) and Ayrton Senna (Lotus) and the latter showed continued determination by taking pole position in practice. As this video shows, the pressure was therefore very firmly on!