Three world titles, 41 victories and 65 pole positions. This is the dizzying record of Ayrton Senna, in eleven seasons of Formula 1. Famous driver in the 1980s and 1990s, the Brazilian saw his meteoric rise come to an abrupt end on 1is May 1994, on the San Marino Grand Prix circuit, in Italy, when he lost control of his car which left the track at more than 300 km/h. Died a few hours later, at the age of 34, Ayrton Senna prematurely entered the legend of motorsport. Becoming a legend forever.
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The little prince of Formula 1 was born on March 21, 1960, in São Paulo, Brazil. Nicknamed Beco by those around him, Ayrton Senna was only 4 years old when his father built him his first kart and developed a passion for motorsport. About ten years later, the young man completed his first races and continued his feats, winning the title of South American karting champion in 1977. But Ayrton Senna saw bigger things, further afield. And dreams of one day driving an F1.
Karting tracks behind the wheel of an F1
His talent, his passion and his determination led him to fly to the United Kingdom where, in the early 1980s, he continued his classes in Formula 3. World champion in 1983 in Formula Ford, the Toleman team spotted him and hired him the following year for his debut in Formula 1.
It didn't take long for it to shine on the track at the Monaco Grand Prix in 1984, despite the pouring rain. Thus allowing him to climb onto the second step of the podium. A few months later, Ayrton Senna joined the Lotus team with whom he continued to accumulate victories and incredible performances.
Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, eternal rivals
In 1988, it was consecration. His career took a new turn. Ayrton Senna signed with McLaren – where a certain Alain Prost races –, won eight victories and won his first F1 world championship title. The Senna-Prost tandem unleashes passions. The rivalry between the two drivers is palpable.
On the one hand, there is the Frenchman who dreamed of being a footballer and who ultimately became a quadruple world champion with 51 victories. On the other, a young Brazilian prodigy with astonishing abilities who seems unstoppable.
The following years, between the two men, a crossover of world titles began within the McLaren team. Indeed, in 1989, Alain Prost recovered the crown from his teammate's brown mane, during the Japanese Grand Prix, before ceding it to him again the following season, on the same circuit. A somewhat controversial victory since the Brazilian took the title after having a collision – which some say was intentional – with Prost.
He then won his third world champion title in 1991. As for the Frenchman, he retired from competition definitively two years later, after becoming five-time world champion. A departure which marks the end of an era and a thrilling rivalry.
A national hero turned legend
Ayrton Senna's track record and competitive talents establish him as a national hero in his country of origin, which sees him as the symbol of success. Unfortunately, his glorious destiny turned into tragedy on the 1stis May 1994, on the Imola circuit in Italy, during the San Marino Grand Prix.
At that time, the driver left McLaren to race for Williams-Renault. Leader of the world championship – neck and neck with Michael Schumacher – he is competing in his third race of the season. On the seventh lap, he lost control of his car. Launched at more than 300 km/h, it leaves the track and crashes into the wall of the Tamburello curve. The shock is extremely violent. Millions of spectators watched this fatal accident from the stands and in front of their television sets. Senna is airlifted to Bologna hospital. His death was officially pronounced at the end of the day.
Despite a whirlwind decade in Formula 1, Ayrton Senna managed to realize his dream by becoming three-time world champion and one of the greatest drivers of his generation. Even today, thirty years after his death, his name is known to most people. He even inspires the small screen with “Senna”, a captivating and biographical mini-series available on Netflix.
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