There was only a week between the Portuguese and Spanish GP and the story was much the same as it had been all year with Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost ahead in their McLaren-Hondas. Nigel Mansell was third quickest in his Williams-Judd with Thierry Boutsen fourth in his Benetton. Then came Sandro Nannini in the second Benetton, Ivan Capelli's March and Riccardo Patrese in the second Williams. The Italian was given a $10,000 fine for giving Tyrrell's Julian Bailey a brake test in qualifying after the Englishman got in his way. Bailey ran into the back of the Williams and flew over it, losing any hope he had of qualifying. The Ferraris were not very competitive with Gerhard Berger eighth and Michele Alboreto 10th, the pair split by Nelson Piquet's Lotus.

Prost took the lead at the start while Senna went away rather more slowly than usual and he was overtaken by Mansell. Prost set off to build a lead while Senna found himself stuck behind Mansell. Senna was in difficulties with his fuel computer which insisted that he drive slowly and so he soon found himself trying to keep Patrese and Capelli behind him. Ivan finally got ahead of Patrese on lap 36 and within three laps he was ahead of Senna as well. A few laps later the March went out with engine trouble. While this was happening Nannini was getting ahead of Patrese and Senna and so claimed third place at the finish behind Prost and Mansell. Senna finished fourth with Patrese fifth and Berger sixth.