Jordan drivers Rubens Barrichello and Eddie Irvine (the latter making his F1 debut) scored their first points by finishing fifth and sixth respectively.

Only 24 cars were entered, following the withdrawal of the BMS Scuderia Italia team from F1 in the run-up to the race.

At the end of lap 9, the three came out of the final chicane nose to tail and Hill passed Schumacher on the start/finish straight to take 5th place away.

Irvine, who was also still on wets, challenged Hill in the first corner but was not able to make the pass stick while Senna waited behind to lap the pair.

Senna lost 15 seconds to Prost by the time he forced his way back past Irvine and Hill let him through.

At the end of lap 42, after he and Prost had made their pit stops for slicks, Senna's lead was back up to 24 seconds.

Irvine's debut was slightly marred in a post-race altercation with Ayrton Senna who punched him when a discussion between the pair got heated.

The incident led to rumours of Senna receiving a two-race ban, but ultimately, no penalty was issued.