1988 F1 Season -

Qualifying was dry. Senna took pole. Prost lined up second. On the formation lap, Prost looked across at the red-and-white car. He knew what Senna would try. A dive. A prayer. A moment of absolute commitment that only he was willing to make.

The entire season came down to this. Prost led the championship by 15 points. But with double points for the final race (a bizarre rule that year), Senna could still take the title if he won and Prost finished third or lower. The Japanese circuit was a ribbon of asphalt through forested hills. It had rained for three days straight. 1988 f1 season

By mid-season, McLaren had won every race. The constructors' title was a foregone conclusion. But between the two drivers, a cold war had turned hot. In private, Ron Dennis, the team principal, tried to play peacemaker. "You are driving for McLaren," he said. "Not against each other." But Senna had stopped sharing setup data. Prost had stopped acknowledging him in the briefings. Qualifying was dry

But in the stewards' office, a different story was being written. Prost protested the overtake, claiming Senna had cut the chicane. The FIA agreed. Senna was disqualified. The win—and the title—was given to Prost. On the formation lap, Prost looked across at