Ayrton Senna: A Legend of Formula 1

Many athletes succeed in transcending the discipline they practice, either because of the greatness of their actions within it, because of the number of championships won, because of their sportsmanship or because they have a tragic ending. Ayrton Senna fits all those categories – and his legacy lives on today…

Discovering Ayrton Senna

Ayrton Senna was born in São Paulo, Brazil, on 12 March 1960. As a racing driver he managed to win the Formula 1 Championship three times and is remembered as one of the most outstanding and dominant drivers of recent times – and one of the fastest in the entire history of Formula 1.

At his peak he was mesmerising, due to the speed of his driving, his incredible technique and competitive aggression.

His career ended when he died in an accident having suffered a crash at the Tamburello curve, while he was competing at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari race track, at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.

In the accident, a rod from the suspension of the car caused a fatal wound to his head, after it passed through the visor of his iconic Brazilian-styled Ayrton Senna helmet. Today he is remembered as one of the best riders in history, recognised for his achievements in the world of sport and throughout Formula 1.

It is possible to find replicas of his helmets as there are shops specialising in them, such as Cm Helmets, where you can get exact helmets to those Senna used during his career years, even the one he first used in motor racing in 1977 or the one in which he won his first Formula 1 race.

What races did Ayrton Senna win?

Throughout his career, Ayrton Senna managed to become a Formula 1 champion three times, in the years of 1988, 1990 and 1991, driving for McLaren-Honda. During his automotive career he drove for Lotus, Williams, McLaren and Toleman.

Aside from his championships he was a runner-up in 1989 and 1993, taking third place in 1987 and fourth in 1985, 1986 and 1992.

In his career he would have some 41 victories and 80 podiums.

His wet track performances were legendary, such as at the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix, the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix and the 1993 European Grand Prix, where he outperformed competitors in superior cars.

Indeed, it would be the rainy Grand Prix of Portugal in 1985, when he would achieve his first success in Formula 1. Senna at the time was driving a Lotus, which was powered by a turbo engine belonging to the French company Renault.

He would go on to win six Monaco Grand Prix in the years 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 – being a record for the event. He would also win five races Belgium in the years 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991 and another five in the United States in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, and 1991.

On top of this he won the  San Marino Grand Prix in 1988, 1989 and 1991, three more in Germany in 1988, 1989, and 1990, three in Hungary in 1988, 1991 and 1992, two in Spain in the years 1986 and 1989 and two more inCanada in 1988 and 1990.

Ayrton Senna certainly became a legend of motorsport, not only for his competitive ability on the asphalt, but also for his sportsmanship. He is a motor racing legend that lives on in our memories, thanks to his incredible ability and astonishing career.