Senna claimed his first world title at Suzuka 38 years ago today

Thirty-eight years ago today, on October 30, 1988, the Formula 1 calendar arrived at Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix. In the 15th race of the season, and the second-to-last, McLaren's Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna finished ahead of his teammate and championship rival Alain Prost to win his first world title. Thierry Boutsen of Benetton took third.

McLaren locked out the front row in qualifying

At Honda's home race, Senna and Prost shared pole position. Gerhard Berger qualified third, and Ivan Capelli was fourth in a naturally aspirated March-Judd. Nelson Piquet, who had won the drivers' title that year, lined up third row in a Lotus-Honda despite being ill with a virus. Local favorite Satoru Nakajima was also on that row.

It was a difficult weekend for Nakajima. On Friday morning, about 30 minutes before free practice, he learned that his mother had died that morning. He chose to get in the car anyway, and his determination won him new fans in the paddock. Lotus also announced that it had re-signed him for the 1989 season. At Larrousse, Aguri Suzuki made his Formula 1 debut in place of Yannick Dalmas, who was not medically fit to race. Suzuki started 20th.

Senna started from the back of the grid

Prneed to start: Prost led the field away ahead of Berger and Capelli. Senna stalled on the grid. Because Suzuka has the only sloping grid of the season, he was able to push-start the car and dropped to 14th. He gained six places by the end of the first lap and was up to fourth by lap four.

On lap 16, Capelli passed Prost, who was having gearshift trouble, to take the lead. It was the first time a non-turbo car had led a race since 1983. Prost retook the lead a few hundred meters later, however, thanks to the power of Honda's turbo engine. Capelli retired with an electrical failure three laps later.

The race was run in the rain. On lap 27, Andrea de Cesaris's Rial delayed Prost, and Senna took advantage to move into the lead. He then set quick laps and pulled out more than three seconds. Senna won by 13 seconds. Berger finished fourth, Alessandro Nannini fifth, Riccardo Patrese sixth and Nakajima seventh.

A record and the title

The win was Senna's eighth of the season. It broke the record for most wins in a single season, surpassing the seven held by Jim Clark (1963) and Prost (1984). That record was later passed by Nigel Mansell in 1992.

Under the 1988 points system, Prost could finish with at most 87 points even if he won in Australia. Senna would be champion even if he scored no more points, on the strength of eight wins to seven.