Italian Grand Prix 1991 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Nigel Mansell produced a stunning victory at Monza to delay Ayrton Senna's championship coronation, thrilling the passionate Italian crowd with an aggressive drive that showcased Williams-Renault's superiority at high-speed circuits. The Englishman started from pole and controlled the race with authority, using the FW14's superior straight-line speed to devastating effect on the Temple of Speed's long straights. Mansell's fourth victory of the season kept alive mathematical hopes of catching Senna, though the championship remained firmly in the Brazilian's grasp.

Ayrton Senna finished second for McLaren, settling for damage limitation after being unable to match the Williams' pace around the low-downforce Italian circuit. The result still moved Senna to within touching distance of the championship, with the Brazilian needing just one more strong finish to mathematically secure the title. Alain Prost completed the podium for Ferrari in third place, providing some joy for the passionate Tifosi who had endured a difficult season watching their beloved Scuderia struggle for competitiveness.

The race was significant for demonstrating the clear circuit-dependent performance gap between Williams and McLaren. While Senna and the MP4/6 could dominate on twisty circuits requiring mechanical grip and driver finesse, the Williams FW14's active suspension and superior aerodynamic efficiency made them unbeatable on fast, flowing layouts like Monza. This dichotomy would become even more pronounced in 1992, when Williams' technical advantages would prove overwhelming across all circuit types.