Sunday Drive #9 – Ayrton Senna
Sunday Drive #9 – Ayrton Senna
Thirty years ago, during the race on Imola track, Ayrton Senna died in an accident.
A distant memory
Ayrton Senna has captivated the hearts of Formula 1 enthusiasts with his exceptional abilities on the track. He impressed Brazilians with his empathetic attitude towards those in need of educational support. In his homeland, he achieved an almost divine status, akin to Maradona in Argentina.
Listen, here’s the situation: I don't feel up to writing about Ayrton Senna's life and career on “Sunday Drive”. Many editors, writers, and filmmakers – experts on the subject – have tackled that challenge. My knowledge regarding Senna is too limited. I can only reflect on the emotions stirred in me by every Formula 1 race from thirty years ago and his influence on the world of motorsport. In the early 1990s, when my love for motoring was forming, I watched everything related to Formula 1 with enthusiasm, including the tensions between Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, and my namesake Michael Schumacher. I believe that I witnessed THAT race live on television, although it is possible that it is a recollection evoked by the numerous emotional accounts of the tragedy. As I delve deeper into history now, I feel deep respect for Ayrton Senna and the legacy he left behind.
Movie Night
The Brazilian’s story was brilliantly told in the documentary “Senna”, directed by Asif Kapadia. The production won two 2012 BAFTA awards—for Best Documentary and Best Editing. Previously unseen footage, interviews with family and friends, and beautiful music will satisfy any biographical hunger. It's available to watch on Netflix.
Postscript
The screenwriter and executive producer was Manish Pandey, who, before becoming part of the podcast “Collecting Addicts” (which I recommend), spoke with Chris Harris about the documentary’s creation (pictured with Bernie Ecclestone, who also appeared in the series, but more on that another time).
New Sportscar Experimental
In 1988, McLaren signed a new contract for engine supply for its Formula 1 cars. After several successful years of collaboration with Porsche, Honda would supply the new engines. At the same time, a new driver joined the team – Ayrton Senna. Both Honda and Senna were already familiar to each other from prior seasons at Lotus. After his transfer to McLaren, Senna tighten-up his relationship with Honda, who decided to use the charismatic Brazilian as a development driver for their new car – a response to European sports exotics – the NSX. The first opportunity to test the new machine came in 1989 at the Suzuka circuit. Senna described the car as “fragile”. This opinion hurt the proud Japanese engineers, but instead of committing seppuku, they improved the structural rigidity by 50%. Further tests refined the suspension and handling. Finally, Senna's blessing descended upon the Japanese creation, and the car was deemed ready. Here’s a detailed report from the Suzuka tests (unfortunately in Japanese):
The Honda NSX was a successful design with legendary handling characteristics, yet it wasn’t very popular. Senna himself owned three examples, but his involvement in its development didn't hold enough PR power, and European brands effectively repelled the Japanese offensive. This footage from other tests at Suzuka, where a relaxed Senna in shiny slip-ons jumps into the cockpit and works his magic, is one of the key verses in the driver's bible. What I saw inspired the name of this portal and newsletter.
Italian Romance
Racing teams, especially in Formula 1, treat their drivers like jewels (understandable given contract values) and look disapprovingly upon alternative motoring risks (see R. Kubica's accident, which ended his Ferrari and F1 career). Senna had a rocky relationship with his bosses due to his love of motorcycles. He had a particular affection for Italian Ducati.
He knew Claudio Castiglioni, head of Cagiva and Ducati owner from 1985 to 1996. In 1994, Castiglioni introduced him to a new prototype street sportsbike – the 916. Senna was impressed by the innovative design and advanced construction of the bike. Admiring his charitable work, Castiglioni proposed a joint project, in which part of the money raised would be donated to level the educational playing field for young Brazilians. The contract allowing Ducati to use the “Senna” name was signed in March 1994, less than two months prior to the champion's death. The first of three series was limited to 300 units, and Senna chose the colour scheme himself. Thus, the Ducati 916 Senna was born.
The Name – The Brand
Perhaps the collaboration with Ducati, Castiglioni's charitable declaration, and the growing awareness of the “Senna” brand were the starting points of conversations between Ayrton and his sister Viviane about establishing a charity organisation. This was happening around the same time as the Ducati 916 Senna development. Due to the tragic accident, the establishment of the organisation was delayed until the Instituto Ayrton Senna was finally announced. The organisation received PR support (and probably financial) from Bernie Ecclestone and Sir Frank Williams. The foundation's income comes either from donations or royalties for the logo's commercial use on clothing, furniture, watches, and cars.
The foundation has been operating continuously for thirty years and remains a multi-generational family project of the Senna family.
Big comeback
In February 2022, Williams Racing, where Senna raced in his final season, announced that after 27 years, the distinctive “S” logo would be removed from their Formula 1 cars. The decision was justified by a “desire to close that chapter in the team's history and focus on the future.” That was the official stance. The truth is, despite the noble gesture beginning in the 1995 season, Senna didn't win championships or even podiums with Williams. Maybe he didn't have the chance, as he only competed in three races and didn't finish any due to the FW16 car's exceptional unreliability.
His greatest successes came with another British team—McLaren. Driving for them, he won three championships, and the red-and-white car remains the symbol of his success to this day.
Three months after Williams' decision, McLaren announced that the logo commemorating the Brazilian would appear on their 2022 season cars and beyond. A symbolic return to the best moments, both for him and us, the fans.
It seems that McLaren pushed Williams into a corner regarding the use of the symbol as early as 2018 when they introduced the successor to the P1 model—the “Senna”.
The hypercar from Woking was an uncompromising design where function far outweighed form (challenging aesthetics), offering top driving thrills. The mid-engine, V8-powered bolide produced 800 PS and 800 Nm, with alla of it transferred to the rear axle via a seven-speed DCT gearbox, allowing rocketing to 62 Mph in just 2.8 seconds. Even Jezza was impressed.
Ayrton's spirit still hovers over the entire Formula 1 paddock. Many drivers who raced through Tamburello section after him highlight how much he inspired their careers. Lewis Hamilton said:
He is an incredible legend. You can still learn things from how he approached racing and how he drove. You like to think that one day you may be recognised as someone that was able to drive similarly to him.
And Bernie Ecclestone:
The trouble with asking for good memories of Ayrton is that I do not have any bad ones. Perhaps my very vivid memories are of his strong opinion, and most of the time he was right.
Thank you for your continued interest and I invite you to subscribe to the newsletter. I also encourage you to support the site on Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon. The funds collected will be used to develop the Heel and Toe magazine and ultimately allow full focus on the project. In the aforementioned service, sales of photos of the tested cars, including from this article, have started. These are collector's prints in numbered series on archival papers.
Have a good one!