San Marino Grand Prix 1991 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Ayrton Senna claimed a dominant victory at Imola to complete a perfect hat-trick of wins to start the 1991 season, firmly establishing himself as the overwhelming championship favorite. The Brazilian controlled proceedings from pole position, leading every lap in his McLaren-Honda MP4/6 to demonstrate the car's superiority over the rest of the field. Senna's flawless performance at the circuit that would later become tragically associated with his legacy showcased his complete mastery of the demanding Imola layout.

Gerhard Berger secured McLaren's second one-two finish of the season with a comfortable second place, though the Austrian was never in contention to challenge his teammate for victory. The result emphasized McLaren's technical advantage and the formidable partnership between Senna and Berger that made them the dominant force in 1991. JJ Lehto claimed a surprise podium finish for the minnow Dallara team in third place, capitalizing on retirements from faster cars to score his first and only Formula 1 podium.

The race saw disappointments for Williams-Renault, with both Nigel Mansell and Riccardo Patrese retiring from competitive positions. Mansell's electrical failure while running second was particularly frustrating, as it prevented the Englishman from closing the gap to Senna in the championship. Ferrari's struggles continued with Alain Prost finishing fourth, unable to challenge the leading McLarens despite the passionate support of the Tifosi at their home circuit.