Austria, Sunday, August 16th
Brazilian drivers NeIson Piquet and Ayrton Senna arrived at the Osterreichring leading the World Championship, with Piquet having won the two previous rounds.
But it was Isle of Man-based driver Nigel ManseII who was expected to lead the Canon Williams Honda challenge after mechanical trouble had caused him to retire in Germany and Hungary. The cameras capture the action on this super-fast circuit as Nigel tackles his 100th Grand Prix. Hungry for maximum points, he set himself up for victory with a searing practice performance although for once knocked off pole position by Piquet, who will drive for Lotus in 1988. With the lap record standing to Gerhard Berger (Benetton BMW) at nearly 145 mph, the excitement is intense as the field gets under way - but does not get very far! Again the grid is assembled but once more the start provides incredible drama as a second multi-shunt halts the race. As if that is not enough, the finish creates trouble too! But in between there's a wealth of high-speed top-class action as the lap record goes up to 150 mph average whilst Ferrari continue to improve, Benetton go well, and the non-turbo brigade get faster and faster. It's rivetting stuff!