1985 Formula One World Championship

Alain Prost (pictured in 1984) won the first of his four Drivers' Championships by a 23-point margin.
Michele Alboreto finished second for Ferrari.
Keke Rosberg finished third, driving for Williams.
Three-time World Champion Niki Lauda (pictured in 1984) retired at the end of the season after a 13-year career.

The 1985 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 39th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1985 Formula One World Championship for Drivers and the 1985 Formula One World Championship for Manufacturers, both of which commenced on 7 April and ended on 3 November after sixteen races.

The Drivers' Championship was won by Alain Prost.[1] After finishing two years as runner-up, both times winning more races than the champion, he was able to clinch the title this year sealing his success at the European Grand Prix. It would be first of four championships for "the Professor". Michele Alboreto was his main challenger, but he failed to score points in all of the last five races of the season.

The Manufacturers' Championship was won by McLaren for the second consecutive year.[1]

Reigning champion Niki Lauda retired after this season, although team boss Ron Dennis tried to convince him otherwise.

After eight years, Michelin had withdrawn from the sport, leaving Pirelli and Goodyear as tyre suppliers for 1985.

  1. ^ a b 1986 FIA Yearbook, Red Section, Results of 1985 FIA International Championships, pages 78–79