Prost retains lead

Press, 9 May 1984, Page 43

Prost retains lead

NZPA-Reuter Imola Alain Prost of France led from start to finish in his McLaren and won the San Marino Grand Prix Motor Race. It was Prost’s second victory in four races this season and increased his lead in the world driver’s championship to 24 — 11 more than the Briton, Derek Warwick, who was fourth and remained second in the overall standings. Rene Arnoux of France was second in a Ferrari, a full 13 seconds behind Prost, followed by the Lotus of Italian Elio de Angelis. Despite severe engine problems in the final laps, Warwick kept his Renault ahead of the West German, Stefan Bellof, who drove a brilliant race for fifth place in his conventionally-

powered Tyrrell. Belgian Thierry Boutsen gained his first championship point after a steady drive in his Arrow. Prost started in second place on the grid, with the world champion Nelson Piquet of Brazil in pole position in his Brabham. The Frenchman, who was first in Brazil and second in South Africa, went straight into the lead on the 5.04 km Imola autodrome and hardly faltered throughout the 60 laps. World championship standings after the San Marino Grand Prix, (after four races): Alain Prost (France), 24, 1; Derek Warwick (Britain), 13, 2; Rene Arnoux (France), 12, 3; Elio de Angelis (Italy), 10, 4; Michele Alboreto (Italy), 5; Niki Lauda (Austria), 6.