Formula 1 — 1988
1988 World Championship
16 Grands Prix
Drivers' Champion
Ayrton Senna
Brazilian
1984 — 1994
3titles
41wins
WDC
Constructors' Champion
McLaren
British
1968 — 2026
10titles
199wins
WCC
M
Season Commentary · 1988
Race Calendar
| Rnd | Grand Prix | Circuit | Date | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Brazilian GP Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet | Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet | 3 Apr 1988 | ProstMcLaren |
| 02 | San Marino GP Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari | Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari | 1 May 1988 | SennaMcLaren |
| 03 | Monaco GP Circuit de Monaco | Circuit de Monaco | 15 May 1988 | ProstMcLaren |
| 04 | Mexican GP Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | 29 May 1988 | ProstMcLaren |
| 05 | Canadian GP Circuit Gilles Villeneuve | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve | 12 Jun 1988 | SennaMcLaren |
| 06 | Detroit GP Detroit Street Circuit | Detroit Street Circuit | 19 Jun 1988 | SennaMcLaren |
| 07 | French GP Circuit Paul Ricard | Circuit Paul Ricard | 3 Jul 1988 | ProstMcLaren |
| 08 | British GP Silverstone Circuit | Silverstone Circuit | 10 Jul 1988 | SennaMcLaren |
| 09 | German GP Hockenheimring | Hockenheimring | 24 Jul 1988 | SennaMcLaren |
| 10 | Hungarian GP Hungaroring | Hungaroring | 7 Aug 1988 | SennaMcLaren |
| 11 | Belgian GP Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | 28 Aug 1988 | SennaMcLaren |
| 12 | Italian GP Autodromo Nazionale di Monza | Autodromo Nazionale di Monza | 11 Sept 1988 | BergerFerrari |
| 13 | Portuguese GP Autódromo do Estoril | Autódromo do Estoril | 25 Sept 1988 | ProstMcLaren |
| 14 | Spanish GP Circuito de Jerez | Circuito de Jerez | 2 Oct 1988 | ProstMcLaren |
| 15 | Japanese GP Suzuka Circuit | Suzuka Circuit | 30 Oct 1988 | SennaMcLaren |
| 16 | Australian GP Adelaide Street Circuit | Adelaide Street Circuit | 13 Nov 1988 | ProstMcLaren |
| P | Driver | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 8 | ||
| 2 | 87 | 7 | |
| 3 | 41 | 1 | |
| 4 | 27 | 0 | |
| 5 | 24 | 0 | |
| 6 | 22 | 0 | |
| 7 | 17 | 0 | |
| 8 | 17 | 0 | |
| 9 | 12 | 0 | |
| 10 | 12 | 0 | |
| 11 | 8 | 0 | |
| 12 | 6 | 0 | |
| 13 | 5 | 0 | |
| 14 | 5 | 0 | |
| 15 | 3 | 0 | |
| 16 | 1 | 0 | |
| 17 | 1 | 0 |
Data via Jolpica/Ergast · Telemetry not available
The 1988 Formula 1 Season: A McLaren Masterclass
Welcome to F1pedia's retrospective of the 1988 Formula 1 World Championship. While detailed historical records can sometimes be sparse, the core story of 1988 is one of undeniable supremacy, etched into history by a legendary driver and an iconic team. Across 16 races, the season unfolded as a testament to their absolute dominance.
The Championship Battle
The 1988 season saw Ayrton Senna rise to the pinnacle of Formula 1, securing his first Drivers' World Championship. From the very first race, the Brazilian Grand Prix, to the dramatic conclusion at the Australian Grand Prix, Senna demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency. He amassed an impressive 90 points throughout the season, a clear indicator of his commanding performance and the formidable package he had at his disposal.
Constructor Supremacy
Senna's triumph was inextricably linked to the unparalleled performance of his team, McLaren. The British outfit clinched the Constructors' World Championship, solidifying their status as the dominant force in Formula 1 for 1988. Their technical prowess and strategic brilliance provided Senna with the machinery needed to conquer the field, making the McLaren-Honda partnership a truly formidable combination.
Season Structure
The 1988 Formula 1 World Championship comprised a total of 16 races, a demanding calendar that tested the mettle of every driver and team. The season kicked off with the highly anticipated Brazilian Grand Prix, setting the stage for the year's battles. The championship then traversed various iconic circuits before culminating in the thrilling season finale at the Australian Grand Prix, where the champions were officially crowned, marking the end of a truly dominant year for Ayrton Senna and McLaren.