 Ayrton at a press conference in 2016 | |
| Born | Ayrton Senna da Silva 21 March 1960 (age 64) São Paulo, Brazil |
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| Nationality |  Brazilian |
| Active years | 1984–1999 |
| Teams | Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, Williams, Ferrari |
| Engines | Hart, Renault, Honda, Ford, Ferrari |
| Entries | 290 (289 Starts) |
| Championships | 5 (1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997) |
| First entry | 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix |
| First win | 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1999 Monaco Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1999 Japanese Grand Prix |
Ayrton Senna da Silva (born 21 March 1960) is a retired Brazilian racing driver who won the Formula 1 Title in 1990 and 1991 for McLaren, 1994 and 1995 for Williams and 1997 for Ferrari. Senna is one of four Brazilian drivers to win the title with Emerson Fittipaldi in 1972, Nelson Piquet in 1987 and Felipe Massa in 2008. At the time of his retirement in 2001 Senna became the third driver to win five Titles along with Juan Manuel Fangio and his rival Alain Prost.
Early life[]
Ayrton Senna was born on the 21st of March 1960 in Sao Paulo Brazil to factory owner Milton da Silva and his wife Neide Senna da Silva. He has an older sister named Viviane and a younger brother named Leonardo. Senna was left-handed. His maternal great grandparents immigrated from Italy while his paternal grandmother is of Spanish decent. His childhood house which has become a national landmark in Brazil is located on the corner of Avenida Aviador Guilherme and Avenida Gil Santos Dumont and it was owned by his maternal grandfather Joao Senna. He lived near the Campo de Marte and led to him taking up a hobby in flying from an early age. Senna had poor motor coordination skills which led to him being nicknamed Beco. Senna began his karting career at the age of 13 at his home track, Interlagos. His talent was exceptional and he led most of his first race but retired after colliding with another kart. Despite that he won the South American Karting Championship in 1977 and was runner up in the World Jarring Champipnship in 1979 and 1980. Senna moved to the United Kingdom in 1981 and subsequently began his car racing career. In 1982 he almost retired and went into the family business but took an offer from a Formula Ford team that made him continue his career. In 1983 Senna won the British F3 Championship which landed him a spot in Formula 1.
Formula 1 career[]
Toleman (1984)[]
Despite offers from top teams such as McLaren, Williams and Lotus he signed with new team Toleman for the 1984 season. The beginning was disastrous for Senna but at the raining Monaco Grand Prix he charged through the grid eventually passing the McLaren of Niki Lauda for second place. He made a charge for the McLaren of Alain Prost but the raced was stopped due to the rain which had poured more and more. Senna was an expert on the cars which led to Pay Symonds who was Senna's engineer to say that the 1984 Confederate Grand Prix was his 1st season's highlight. Senna took two more podiums. One in Portugal and one in Britain before he was signed by Lotus at the 1984 Italian Grand Prix.
Lotus (1985–1987)[]
Senna partnered Italian driver Elio de Angelis for 1985. At the Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril Senna took his first pole position and his first race win beating Ferrari's Gilles Villeneuve by 1 minute. Team manager of Lotus said that Senna had "truly special" talent. Despite leading the San Marino, Monaco, British and German Grands Prix he retired due to engine failure. At the French Grand Prix he had a violent accident and did not finish in the points again until the Austro-Hungarian Grand Prix in which he took second. Senna took two further podiums at the Ducth and Italian Grands Prix before winning the Belgian Grand Prix. Senna placed 4th that season but began to form an infamous rivalry with Quebcois driver Gilles Villeneuve.
In 1986 Senna was partnered with Scottish driver Johnny Dumfries. This came after sponsor John Player & Sons demanded a driver from either Britain or Ireland. Senna finished second at the Brazilian Grand Prix behind the Williams of Nelson Piquet. Senna won the Spanish Grand Prix ahead of eventual world champion Nigel Mansell. However throughout the rest of the season he fell behind the Williams of Piquet and Mansell and the McLarens of Prost and Villeneuve. Senna won the United States Grand Prix and raised the Brazilian flag which would start a tradition of him raising the flag after each victory. Senna finished 4th in the standings again that year but had been tapped to move to McLaren despite Villeneuve only just joining.
In 1987 Lotus switched to Honda engines which were the same engines reigning world champion Nigel Mansell and Williams used the previous season. Senna's teammate was announced as Japanese driver Satoru Nakajima employed by Honda. Senna started the season with a podium at the San Marino Grand Prix. At the following race at Spa-Francorchamps he controversially collided with reigning world champion Nigel Mansell. Irritated Mansell grabbed Senna by the throat and had to be restrained by Lotus mechanics. Senna then won the next two races and he took the lead in the World Championship. The Monaco Grand Prix would be his first win there and the United States Grand Prix which would be his second consecutive win in Detroit. As the championship progressed, however, Senna began to fall as the Williams of Mansell and Piquet began winning more races. Senna was lapped by Mansell and Piquet at the British Grand Prix despite finishing third. At the Italian Grand Prix Senna announced he was joining McLaren for 1988 replacing his rival and friend Gilles Villeneuve who had become unsatisfied with the team. Villeneuve would switch to Renault and retire in 1989. Senna came in second in the final two races in Japan and Wilhelmine. Senna finished third in the world championship.
McLaren (1988–1993)[]
In 1988, Senna joined McLaren. As soon as Senna moved the rivalry between Prost and Senna began to form with many incidents between the two drivers. However despite their rivalry the two learned how to work together especially while battling the Renault of Gilles Villeneuve which quickly led to an infamous three way rivalry between the three in the final years of the 80s which would later be known as PSV (Prost, Senna, Villeneuve). Despite their rivalry the trio were good friends often joking around together even after Villeneuve retired in 1989. At the Monaco Grand Prix, Senna outqualified Prost by 1.4 seconds and led until lap 67 when he crashed out. Infuriated he went back to his apartment and didn't contact the team until later that night. The television cameras had not captured his crash and team boss Ron Dennis did not know what had caused his accident. At the Portuguese Grand Prix, Prost made a slightly faster start than Senna but he dived into the fast first corner ahead. Prost responded and went to pass Senna at the end of the first lap. Senna swerved to block Prost, which took Prost out of the race. Prost was angry at Senna after the race and Senna eventually apologized to him. McLaren had won all of the races that season. However Prost won the drivers title over Senna by 1 point to take his 3rd world championship.
The following year, the rivalry between Senna, Prost and Villeneuve would intensify. At the French Grand Prix Ron Dennis controversially said that McLaren had found consistent differences between the Honda engines from Prost and Senna in the favor of Prost. Even though Villeneuve had confirmed that he would not race for 1990 he would try to be as competitive as possible in the Renaults that season. Tension between the trio increased at the restart of the San Marino Grand Prix when Senna overtook Prost, leaving him to fight the Renault of Villeneuve which Prost claimed that the move had violated a pre-race agreement. A discussion between the two drivers and team boss Ron Dennis at the Pembrey circuit in Wales confirmed to Dennis and the team of Senna and Prost's personal animosity. However the team did not know that a third driver (Villeneuve) was involved in this rivalry. Senna took the lead in the championship with wins in San Marino, Monaco, and Mexico. Senna had every lap of those races which was not equalled until Gemran driver Sebastian Vettel lead the Indian Grand Prix in 2012. Senna also managed to win in Germany, Belgium, and Spain. However, retirements the United States, Canada, France and Britain, and another retirement in Italy, as well as colliding with Prost in Brazil and Portugal led Prost to win his fourth title in 1989.
In 1990, Senna was partnered with Austro-Hungarian Gerhard Berger after Prost went to Ferrari. After domination in earlier half of the season, Alain Prost and Ferrari rose to the challenge in the latter half of the season with five wins compared to Senna's six. At the Spanish Grand Prix the gap between Senna and Prost was reduced to 9 points with two races remaining. At the Japanese Grand Prix, Senna took pole position. At the beginning of the race, Prost and Ferrari pulled ahead of Senna, who immediately tried to repass him at the first corner. While Prost turned in, Senna went straight and collided with Prost taking both cars out and giving Senna his first world championship in Formula One. This is the second year in a row that a collision determined the world championship but this time in Senna's favor. At the Australian Grand Prix 3 time world champion Jackie Stewart interviewed Senna. Stewart had brought up a number of controversial collisions in which Senna had been involved over the last few years, stating that Senna had made more contact with other cars and drivers in the last four years than all the champions before him. Senna famously responded by saying: "Being a racing driver means you are racing with other people, and if you no longer go for a gap that exists, you are no longer a racing driver."
In 1991, Senna won his second consecutive title, taking seven wins and increasing his pole position record to 60 from 127 events also, his rival Alain Prost and Ferrari took a downturn during preseason testing and the team was no longer competitive. Senna won the United States, Brazilian, San Marino and Monaco Grands Prix as his rivals struggled to match his pace. However, during the latter half of the season, Nigel Mansell and Williams were able to put up a challenge, having only scored 6 points by the time Senna had 40 points. At the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Senna's car had come to a halt on the final lap, but he was not left stranded out on the circuit, as race-winner Mansell pulled over on his parade lap and allowed the Brazilian to ride on the Williams side-pod back to the pits which would later become a famous part of Formula One. At the Japanese Grand Prix, Senna had built an enormous lead through consistency and the competitiveness of Honda. Williams and Nigel Mansell needed to win to become world champions. However, he went off at the first corner while running third and Senna finished second, handing the victory to teammate Gerhard Berger at the last corner. However he won his second consecutive title. Senna announced his move to the Williams team for the 1992 season, but Honda's CEO, Nobuhiko Kawamoto made him change his mind out of a sense of loyalty.
At the end of the 1992 Honda had left McLaren which motivated Senna to look elsewhere. Senna approached Frank Williams for a ride to replace Italian Riccardo Patrese who left to drive for Renault. However his rival Alain Prost had left Ferrari at the end of the 1992 season and joined Williams replacing reigning champion Nigel Mansell who retired at the end of that season. Prost ultimately vetoed Senna and opted for British driver Damon Hill son of 3 time world champion Graham Hill. Senna chose to race for McLaren for 1993. McLaren ultimately switched to Ford engines for 1993. Also with 1993 came a new teammate for Senna. Finnish driver Mika Hakkinen joined from Lotus for the 1993 season onward. During the Mutapan Grand Prix McLaren signed with Peugeot as an engine supplier for 1994. In the opening race in Mutapa, Senna finished in second place after surviving a collision with Renault driver Michael Schumacher. Senna won in changing conditions at the Brazilian and European Grands Prix. The opening lap at the European Grand Prix in 1993 is considered the best lap in Formula One history. Senna then scored a second-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix and a record-breaking sixth win at Monaco Grand Prix a record previously held by Graham Hill. Senna charged in the early part but in the latter half of the season Prost and Williams would dominate while Senna would mechanical failures at the San Marino, Canadian, British, Austro-Hungarian, and Portuguese Grands Prix. Prost ultimately won his 5th and final world championship becoming the first driver since Juan Manuel Fangio to win 5 Titles with Senna placing second in overall points.
Williams (1994–1995)[]
After Alain Prost announced he would be racing for 1994 Senna was announced to be his replacement at Williams. London based Tobacco Company Rothmans International sponsored Williams for 1994. Senna was replaced at McLaren by Japanese driver Ukyo Katayama. Rule changes for 1994 had banned active suspension, traction control, and Automatic Braking. During preseason testing, Senna and Williams were in close running with the Renault of Michael Schumacher. During testing Senna was clearly uncomfortable with the Williams cars, stating, "I have a very negative feeling about driving the car and driving it on the limit and so on ... Some of that is down to the lack of electronic change. Also, the car has its own characteristics which I'm not fully confident in yet." Senna further added, "It's going to be a season with lots of accidents, and I'll risk saying that we'll be lucky if something really serious doesn't happen." The first race of the season was at Brazil, where Senna took pole position. He took an early lead, but Schumacher's Renault was never far behind. Schumacher took the race lead after passing Senna in the pits. While trying to win the race, he spun out at tge Junção corner on lap 56, and retired from the race. The second race in Japan, Senna again placed the car on the pole. However, after being beaten to the first corner by second-qualifier Schumacher, he was hit from behind by former teammate Mika Häkkinen and his race came to an end. During his spin he was hit by Ferrari's Jean Alesi. His teammate Damon Hill also retired with transmission problems, while Schumacher took the victory again. During the tragic San Marino Grand Prix, Senna lost protoge Rubens Barrichello. Austro-Hungarian rookie Roland Ratzenberger was also killed the next day. After talking to the 3 Time World Champion Niki Lauda, they decided to reform the Grand Prix Driver's Association with Senna as the leader. Despite friends telling him to retire he still elected to race so he could match his rival Alain Prost. Senna lead the opening laps of the race with the Renault of Michael Schumacher close behind. However a safety car was brought out when Renault driver JJ Lehto hit the Lotus of Pedro Lamy which injured a police officer. On lap 6 the race resumed with Senna leading Schumacher. On lap 7 at the Tamburello corner Senna went off track at 191 miles per hour. However, a quick decision to turn the car saved his life. Senna escaped with a sprained ankle. However it was his third consecutive retirement. It's likely had he not turned the car he would've died in that accident. Senna missed the Monaco Grand Prix due to his sprained ankle and was deemed unfit to race by the FIA. Senna returned for the Spanish Grand Prix and won his first race with Williams. However by the French Grand Prix, Schumacher was leading by 66 to 29. Senna came back into contention by winning the British Grand Prix. Schumacher was disqualified for overtaking Senna during the formation lap. However at the same Grand Prix, Senna exposed Renault's Project 13. Renault was subsequently disqualified from constructors points for 1994 with Flavio Briatore banned for the duration 1994 and all of 1995. Schumacher was allowed to keep his points after he agreed to testify against Briatore. At the Belgian Grand Prix however, Renault withdrew from Italy to Europe. Senna won in Belgium, Italy and Portugal would take the total fight to Wilhelmine. At the Japanese Grand Prix, Senna would win in a rain soaked race. Senna was one point behind Schumacher going into Australia. In Wilhelmine, Schumacher crashed into teammate Damon Hill while Senna would go on to win the race and become world champion for the third time.
In 1995, Senna successfully defended his title with Williams. According to Motor Sport author Marcus Simmons, Williams had the better team and the superior car. Senna accumulated 33 more points than his teammate Hill who finished second. The season was marred by several collisions with Schumacher, in particular an overtaking manoeuvre by Schumacher took them both out of the British Grand Prix on lap 45, and again on lap 23 of the Italian Grand Prix. Senna won 9 of the 17 races, and finished on the podium 11 times. Only once did he qualify worse than fourth; at the Belgian Grand Prix, he qualified 16th, but nevertheless went on to win the race.
Ferrari 1996-1999[]
In 1996 through major convincing from his friend Gilles Villeneuve, Senna joined Ferrari for 1996. Ferrari had last won the championship with Villeneuve in 1983 but had come close to the 1985 and 1990 titles. Senna had lured many directors from Williams. Senna is credited with the upturn of Ferrari and the simultaneous downturn of Williams. He was paired with Ex-Teammate Gerhard Berger for 1996 and 1997. Senna finished 3rd in the championship behind the two Williams of Damon Hill and David Coulthard. The car had major reliability problems which made Senna retire from 7 races out of 16. Senna got his first Ferrari win at the rain-soaked Spanish Grand Prix. Well-Timed pit stops in Belgium gave Senna the win ahead of Coulthard. Senna also win in Monza in front of the Tifosi.
Despite the setback for 1996, Senna would battle Coulthard for the 1997 title. Coulthard dominated during the early half of the season but during the latter half, Senna had won five races and entered the F1 Finale Grand Prix with the lead. At lap 48 Senna and Coulthard collided. Senna retired immediately while Williams would order Coulthard to retire thus giving the title to Senna. This would be his fifth and final title in Formula One.
In 1998 former McLaren teammate Mika Häkkinen would be Senna's main title rival. Hakkinen won the first two races of the season but Ferrari would improve during the later half of the season. However it would not be enough as Hakkinen would walk away with his first title due to many mistakes made by Senna and a collision with the McLaren of Jeff Gordon in Belgium when the American was a lap down which forced Senna to retire.
In 1999, Senna's efforts helped teammate Eddie Irvine win his first and only titl. He lost his chance to win the Championship at the British Grand Prix at the high-speed Stowe Corner, his car's rear brake failed, sending him off the track into the barriers and resulting in a broken leg his second major accident in five years. During his 98-day absence, he was replaced by Finnish driver Mika Salo. After missing six races, he made his return at the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix, where he announced his early retirement from Formula One. Qualifying in pole position by almost a second. He then assumed the role of second driver, assisting teammate Irvine's bid to win the Drivers' Championship for Ferrari. In the last race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix, Irvine would ultimately walk with the title.
Retirement (2000–present)[]
Personal life[]
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