German Grand Prix 1986 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Nelson Piquet claimed victory at Hockenheim, capitalizing on teammate Nigel Mansell's late-race tire failure to score a crucial win that reignited his championship challenge. The Brazilian had run second for most of the race before Mansell's Williams suffered a dramatic tire blowout at 200 mph, allowing Piquet to inherit the lead and cruise to victory. The result demonstrated the fragility that plagued Williams despite their technical superiority and proved costly for Mansell's championship hopes.

Senna finished second for Lotus, demonstrating consistent pace despite lacking the Williams-Honda's power advantage. Mansell salvaged third place after his tire drama, limping home with a destroyed rear wing and damaged suspension. The incident foreshadowed the Adelaide finale that would ultimately cost Mansell the championship, proving that mechanical reliability remained crucial despite overwhelming technical superiority. Piquet's victory closed the championship gap and kept his title hopes alive, setting up a tense final third of the season where Williams's internal battle would determine whether either driver could convert technical dominance into championship success.