Once again his Williams was blindingly quick, its active suspension keeping it noticeably flat and stable as rival cars rolled around the Principal.
Mansell’s pole time was 0.9sec clear of Riccardo Patrese, who started alongside him on the front of the grid.
Behind, in third, was Senna who had won four of the previous five grands prix in the principality. Since 1984, Alain Prost was the only other driver to win in the Monaco streets.
“As usual his McLaren was no match for the Williams-Renaults in qualifying, yet in a manner rendered unobtrusive by their sheer pace he was quick enough to carry the fight within reach of Patrese’s to line up third on the grid he has dominated since 1987,” wrote David Tremayne for Motor Sport. “And he was clever enough to pounce on the Italian right at the start.”
Patrese’s wariness at the start, as he carefully avoided Mansell going into St Devote, proved the opportunity for Senna to slot in between the Williams.
“I didn’t want to pinch Nigel, so I was a little cautious,” admitted Riccardo, who watched Senna move up the inside and ahead through Beau Rivage.
It was hardly a concern for Mansell, however, who was pulling away as usual, leading by 22 seconds as Senna’s McLaren struggled to keep up with the FW14B.
“I knew there was no way I could beat him [on pace],” Senna previously said. “It was impossible with the superiority of his car.
“But you never know what can happen at Monaco. So what I tried to do was go hard enough to be in a position to benefit if anything happened to Mansell.
“Already early on, I was planning for the late race.”