Six of Ayrton Senna's most significant racing cars were demonstrated around the circuit between Saturday qualifying sessions, paying tribute thirty years after his fatal accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Michael Birch (Maserati 4CM) had a poor launch from third on the grid, but managed to recover his original position by the end of the opening lap and begin troubling Baker.

On the exit of Saint Devote on lap 8, Thierry Stapts (Bugatti 35) lost drive and was hit by Ralf Emmerling (Riley Brooklands).

Max Smith-Hilliard qualified third, only to fall victim to his Lotus 16's notoriously unreliable "queerbox": the car became stuck in gear and stalled on the grid, with all drivers safely navigating past.

For most of the race, Tony Wood (Tec-Mec) pressured Joaquín Folch-Rusiñol (Lotus 16) for third place, with Guillermo Fierro-Eleta closely following the pair.

Both got a good launch and pulled away from the rest of the field, with Colasacco mounting a strong challenge over the first few laps before Middlehurst increased the gap.

In the congestion at the start of the race, "Mister John of B" (Lola Mk4) collided with Dan Collins (Lotus 21) on the rise to Beau Rivage, forcing the former into a first-lap retirement.

On the front row, Richard Wilson (Maserati 250S) got a great launch to take the lead from polesitter Frederic Wakeman (Cooper T38).

Adrian Sucari (Maserati A6GCS) spun under braking at the Grand Hotel Hairpin from thirteenth position on the opening lap.

Wakemen retook the lead by passing Wilson around the outside at Massenet on the second lap, while Claudia Hürtgen (Maserati 300S) took third from Wood going into Tabac.

Katsuaki Kubota (Lotus 72) fell to third off the line, allowing Matthew Wrigley (March 721G) to chase polesitter Michael Lyons (Surtees TS9), the top three pulling away from the rest of the field.

"Mister John of B" (Matra MS120C) passed Franco Meiners in the experimental Ferrari 312B3 for third at the Nouvelle Chicane on the final lap.

Douglas Mockett (Penske PC4) spun at La Rascasse on lap 5, while Steve Brooks (Embassy Hill Lola T370) turned into James Hagan (Hesketh 308) at Sainte Devote.

Nicolas Matile (March 771) was in a three-car battle for twelfth with van Eerd and David Shaw (Williams FW06), only to hit the barrier on the exit of Tabac on lap 5.

On lap 3, Steve Brooks (Lotus 91) attempted to pass Mark Hazell (Williams FW08C) into the Nouvelle Chicane, but made contact.

Going into Sainte Devote on lap 11, Mark Higson (McLaren MP4B) made a late attempt to pass Piero Lottini (Osella FA1B/81).

Franchitti caught the back of Lyons but was unable to pass him for the final spot on the podium, the two separated by just a few car lengths at the chequered flag.