Flashback to 1986: the last time 3 drivers had a shot at F1 title

Two-time defending champion Fernando Alonso, who trails McLaren teammate Hamilton by four points in the standings this year, would prefer history to repeat itself. Not only does the 1986 precedent bode well for him, the Spaniard has clinched both his titles in Brazil.

In 1986, Mansell had a six-point advantage going into race in Australia, and qualified in the pole position knowing that a third place was all he needed to win the title.

Late in the race he was running second behind Piquet and looked in position to finish at least that high. But the Englishman blew a rear tire less than half a lap from the pits and a scheduled tire change at the end of the 64th lap.

Prost took over the lead when Piquet was called into the pits for a tire change after the 65th lap. The Frenchman held on to win the race and take the title by two points, making him the first driver to win back-to-back championships since Jack Brabham in 1960.

After the race, Prost said something that is unlikely to be heard from this year’s winner, especially if it’s Alonso or Hamilton, who are intense rivals.

“I feel a little bit sorry for Nigel as he really deserved this year to win the championship,” Prost said. “I know how he must feel losing the championship in the last race.”

Other seven instances the title went to the final race:

• 1950, Italian GP: Alfa Romeo drivers Juan Manuel Fangio, Luigi Fagioli and Nino Farina are battling for the title in the first year of Formula One. Farina wins the first championship

• 1959, US GP: Jack Brabham in a Cooper holds his lead over Ferrari’s Tony Brooks and BRM’s Stirling Moss

• 1964, Mexican GP John Surtees in a Ferrari overtakes Graham Hill in a BRM with Jim Clark in a Lotus third in the standings

• 1968, Mexican GP Hill in a Lotus wins the final race to hold off Jackie Stewart in a Matra and Denny Hulme in a McLaren

• 1974, US GP McLaren’s Emerson Fittipaldi and Ferrari’s Clay Ragazzoni are even in points. Fittipaldi is the only contender to score points by finishing fourth to win the title.

• 1981, US GP Carlos Reutemann in a Williams has a 1-point lead over Nelson Piquet in a Brabham. Piquet wins title by finishing fifth to win by a point. Jacques Laffitte in a Ligier took third.

• 1983, South African Grand Prix: Alain Prost in a Renault is up by two points over Piquet in a Brabham. Rene Arnoux in a Ferrari was third. Piquet finishes fourth to become champion.