Ayrton Senna
Arguably the greatest driver to ever race in Formula 1, Brazilian Ayrton was born March 21st, 1960 in Sao Paulo. In his illustrious career, he was able to secure three world titles, win 41 races and achieve 65 pole positions. He is remembered to be the most ruthless on track, and extremely humane and compassionate off track.
Senna’s F1 story started in 1984 with Toleman, a car he took to second place in Monaco under really bad conditions. He then moved to Lotus in 1985 and had his debut victory in only his second race with the team, under torrential conditions and won by over a minute. That same season he went on to five consecutive podiums and finish 4th on the championship. He stayed in Lotus the next two years.
Late-1987 he signed for McLaren. It meant the start of one of F1’s greatest rivalries, with world champion Alain Prost. In 1988 Senna would win eight of the last fifteen rounds to beat Prost to the title. Prost and Ayrton then engaged in another tough fight in 1989, with the Japanese GP becoming a race which will always be remembered by Senna’s controversial disqualification following a collision between the McLarens. The DQ ended Senna’s championship chances. Prost moved to Ferrari at the end of the year.
1990 saw the duo head into Japan, again, for a controversial finish. This time, pole-sitter Senna was upset FIA president Jean-Maire Balestre kept the P1 spot on the dirty side of the grid. As expected, Prost got the better start and Senna drove him off track at turn one, securing his second title. He then went on to win again in 1991.
The following seasons were difficult for Senna, as he struggled with a difficult and unreliable car, and decided to move to Williams in 1994 following Prost’s contract expiring. May 1st 1994, at Imola, saw Senna’s last pole position, and tragic accident on the second lap of the race - into a concrete wall. Senna died doing what he loved.
Memorable Quote
“I continuously go further and further learning about my own limitations, my body limitation, psychological limitations. It's a way of life for me."
Senna in photos
