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During the Indonesian Grand Prix, Ducati MotoGP team principal Davide Tardozzi voiced his opinion that Marco Bezzecchi exhibited excessive haste in his on-track maneuver against Marc Marquez. This early race incident, on the opening lap, led to both competitors' premature exit from the event. Marquez unfortunately sustained a fractured shoulder, highlighting the severity of the collision.

Bezzecchi had demonstrated formidable pace throughout the weekend, securing pole position with a significant lead. Despite a less-than-ideal start that dropped him to eighth place, his previous performance in the sprint race on Saturday, where he recovered from a similar setback to clinch victory on the final lap, showcased his ability to navigate the field effectively.

However, during the main race, as Bezzecchi attempted an aggressive inside pass on Marquez's Ducati, he made contact with the rear tire of Marquez's machine. This resulted in both riders being forced into the gravel trap. While Bezzecchi thankfully escaped serious injuries, Marquez was diagnosed with a fractured shoulder, underscoring the high stakes and physical risks involved in such competitive racing.

Following the race, Bezzecchi personally apologized to Marquez for the incident. Tardozzi acknowledged and appreciated this gesture but maintained that the Aprilia rider had been overly ambitious, failing to consider the long duration of the race. He emphasized that Grand Prix races are not won on the first lap, but through strategic and patient riding over all 27 laps.

Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, concurred with Tardozzi's assessment. He noted Bezzecchi's impressive race pace, particularly in certain sectors, but suggested that his eagerness to reclaim positions after a poor start might have led to a lapse in judgment. Rivola acknowledged that the desire to win can sometimes override strategic thinking, especially when a rider believes they possess superior speed.

Both team principals highlighted the intense competitive nature of MotoGP, where riders constantly push limits. The incident serves as a reminder that even highly skilled athletes can make errors under pressure, emphasizing the importance of balancing aggression with calculated strategy to avoid costly mistakes in the pursuit of victory.

The Day a Legend Was Crowned: Prost's First F1 Title

A Historic Triumph for Alain Prost at 30

On October 6, 1985, at the age of 30, Alain Prost achieved a significant milestone in his racing career by claiming his first Formula 1 World Championship. His victory, secured at the European Grand Prix held at Brands Hatch, marked the culmination of a season demonstrating remarkable skill and strategic prowess.

Pre-Race Dynamics and Championship Stakes

Entering the Brands Hatch race, Prost, driving for McLaren, held a commanding 16-point advantage over his closest competitor, Michele Alboreto from Ferrari. To clinch the championship definitively, Prost needed to extend this lead to 18 points. His position as a formidable frontrunner was already well-established, having accumulated 21 Grand Prix victories with both Renault and McLaren. At that time, only legendary figures like Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark, Niki Lauda, and Juan Manuel Fangio had more wins, placing Prost among the elite.

The 1984 Season's Echoes and Prost's Dominance

The previous year, 1984, saw Prost narrowly miss the championship by a mere half-point to his McLaren teammate, Niki Lauda. However, the 1985 season was characterized by Prost's consistent performance. Although Ayrton Senna often topped the qualifying sessions, Prost consistently excelled on race days. Lauda, on the other hand, encountered a season plagued by mechanical issues and a wrist injury sustained at Spa-Francorchamps, completing only three races.

Brands Hatch Qualifying and Initial Setbacks

At Brands Hatch, Senna once again demonstrated his qualifying speed, securing pole position for Lotus, three-tenths faster than Nelson Piquet and nine-tenths ahead of Nigel Mansell. Prost started further back in sixth, over two seconds off Senna's pace, while Lauda's replacement, John Watson, qualified a distant 21st. Alboreto's 15th-place qualification made his championship aspirations even more challenging.

Dramatic Race Start and Prost's Resilient Climb

The race began with immediate drama for Prost. A slow start from Keke Rosberg's Williams ahead of him forced Prost onto the grass, dropping him to 14th. Yet, demonstrating his tenacity, he rapidly moved up through the field, reaching the points-scoring positions (the top six at the time) within just nine laps.

Key Incidents and Rival's Misfortunes

A significant turn of events occurred when Rosberg spun while attempting to overtake Senna for the lead and was subsequently hit by Piquet, leading to Piquet's retirement. Rosberg's incident, after rejoining the race in last place, inadvertently aided Mansell in taking the lead by impeding Senna. Meanwhile, Alboreto's title hopes evaporated after an early pit stop for tires was followed by a catastrophic turbo failure on lap 13. With Alboreto out, Prost now only needed a fifth-place finish to secure the championship.

The Unforeseen Heroes and Prost's Final Ascent

The race also saw surprising performances from Brabham's Marc Surer and Ligier's Jacques Laffite, who progressively climbed to second and third spots, respectively. Surer's strong bid for a podium finish ended prematurely with a turbo issue on lap 63. Laffite also faced engine failure after Senna re-passed him for third. Despite these unfolding events, Prost capitalized on his rivals' troubles, including Stefan Johansson's mechanical issues. He executed a crucial overtake on Elio de Angelis, advancing to third place with 25 laps remaining.

Championship Secured Despite Podium Miss

Ultimately, Nigel Mansell won the race. Although Prost was re-passed by a recovering Rosberg on lap 65, missing a podium finish, his performance was more than sufficient to clinch the coveted world title. The emotional significance of this victory resonated deeply with Prost.

Reflections and Lasting Legacy

Prost vividly recalled the emotional intensity of the moment in his 1988 autobiography, "Maitre de mon destin" (Master of my destiny), describing a profound, private joy before celebrating with his team and loved ones. His first championship paved the way for three additional titles, solidifying his status as an F1 icon. At the time, his record for victories, fastest laps, podiums, and points scored was unparalleled. Niki Lauda, his former teammate, later acknowledged Prost's impact, humorously remarking that Prost's arrival had effectively curtailed his own career: "I hated having him as a team-mate... If he hadn’t turned up I’d have gone on for another few years."