Formula 1 - 1989 - Round 05 - United States GP

Prost would initially make the best getaway from the gird at the start of the race, only to briefly lose power after hitting a bump.[1] That brief loss of momentum enabled Senna to streak back ahead to claim an early lead, leaving the Frenchman to fend off Nannini and Mansell.[1]

Senna duly escaped up the road during the early stages, with Prost quickly able to establish himself in second.[1] Nannini gave chase but was evidently struggling, with handling issues, as shown when he slid down an escape road and lost third to Mansell.[1]

Mansell was able to briefly pace the two McLarens ahead, and would run in a solid third until he dropped out with a gearbox failure.[1] Stefano Modena inherited third only to disappear with a brake problem, and hence left Caffi on the final podium spot.[1]

That ultimately became second when Senna suddenly dropped out from the lead of the race, whis McLaren suffering a complete electrical failure.[1] Prost hence claimed the lead ahead of Caffi and Gerhard Berger, only for Caffi to crash when lapping teammate Andrea de Cesaris.[1]

Berger would retire a few laps later with an alternator failure, promoting Riccardo Patrese and Eddie Cheever onto the podium.[1] Those two duly survived another late flurry of retirements to claim second and third, as Prost cruised to victory at the head of the field.[1]

With Senna having retired Prost's victory was enough to see the Frenchman move back to the top of the Championship, having scored in each of the five opening races. Patrese, meanwhile, would grab third ahead of Mansell, while McLaren-Honda moved 40 points clear in the Constructors' Championship.