Senna pipped the Frenchman to the title that year, saw Prost take it ahead of him in 1989, and was then crowned champion in each of the following two seasons, becoming the then youngest three-times champion in 1991 at the age of 31.
Some outside observers picked up on this peculiar form of pride – a kind of anti-nationalist nationalism – and gently mocked it: Timothy Garton Ash, for instance, spoke of Deutsche Industrie-Normen – a German industrial standard – in "coming to terms with the past"; others crowned the Germans "world champions in remembrance".
In remarks that were seen as an attempt by the Labour government to warn of the dangers posed by the SNP after it had won 11 seats in the October 1974 general election, she said: "I cannot forget that I was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Even so, for an Idol junkie like me (I've watched the show since season one, when Kelly Clarkson was crowned America's newest pop princess), there was more than a little heartache in the announcement.
First, an elegant en pointe sashay through a bemused defence was crowned with a composed, artful finish – "what a good goal", said the commentator – and then a beautifully placed left-foot blast was deposited into the far corner from outside the box - "what a good goal", said the commentator.
For keeping at climate change in 2012 while others get tired or distracted, he deserves to be crowned person of the year.
Santorum will increasingly be seen as an obstacle to consolidating the conservative vote, rather than as the recently crowned Iowa winner that he is.
I still dream about the sultry duck liver mousse with almond biscuits; the 'State Bird' – a quail – grilled into smokiness on its bed of gently pickled, sautéed onions and crowned with Parmesan; the smoked duck ham with umeboshi.
Marseille enjoyed the limelight when it was crowned European Capital of Culture 2013 – cue the largest urban renewal project in southern Europe with a budget of €7bn, including a facelift for the Vieux-Port.
Being crowned European champion, with a new personal best of 48.12sec, still only ranks him sixth in the world.
Tim Minchin and Melanie Chisholm won the supporting musical actor awards for their performances in the arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and The Bodyguard was crowned best new musical.
