Brazilian Grand Prix 1986 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Nelson Piquet opened the 1986 season with a commanding victory in his home race at Jacarepagua, showcasing the devastating power and reliability of the Williams-Honda FW11. The Brazilian controlled the race from pole position, demonstrating the overwhelming technical superiority that would make Williams the dominant force throughout the year. Piquet's victory announcement Williams's arrival as the team to beat and established an early psychological advantage in what would become a fierce intra-team battle with Nigel Mansell.

Ayrton Senna finished second for Lotus despite the Renault-powered 98T lacking the pace to challenge Williams-Honda's might. The young Brazilian's racecraft kept him ahead of Jacques Laffite's Ligier, who claimed an unlikely podium. Reigning champion Alain Prost could only manage fifth in the McLaren MP4/2C, highlighting how dramatically the competitive order had shifted over the winter. The race set the tone for a season where Williams would win nine races but internal rivalry between Piquet and Mansell would prevent either from securing the championship, ultimately handing Prost an opportunity he would seize with tactical brilliance.