STORY OF THE DAY: Johansson Charges to the Monza Podium

On 7 September 1986, Stephan Johansson finished third in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, driving Ferrari F1-86 number 28. Nelson Piquet won for Williams ahead of teammate Nigel Mansell, while Johansson supplied Ferrari’s home crowd with a podium after starting from twelfth position.

Johansson advanced forcefully through the field during the opening stages, passing several rivals as he recovered from a disappointing qualifying position. On a circuit dominated by speed, he avoided the mechanical and tactical difficulties that affected others and delivered one of Ferrari’s strongest results of a winless season.

The F1-86 used Ferrari’s 1.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6, mounted in a carbon-composite chassis. The engine produced formidable power, but the car suffered from difficult handling and inconsistent aerodynamic balance. Its competitiveness was therefore concentrated on smoother, faster circuits such as Monza.

Swedish driver Johansson joined Ferrari early in 1985 after Rene Arnoux’s departure. Calm, adaptable and accomplished in sports cars as well as single-seaters, he frequently collected results when the machinery was troublesome. Third at Monza helped him achieve fifth in the 1986 Drivers’ Championship, the best season placing of his Formula One career.