41 Days Until the 2008 Australian GP

Saturday, February 2nd, 2008

senna.jpgWith his 41 wins, Ayrton Senna ranks third behind Michael Schumacher (91) and Alain Prost (51). The Brazilian started his winning in 1985 at Estoril, when he won the rain soaked Portuguese Grand Prix in his Lotus. Later in the season he added a second victory when he dominated in Spa, where conditions were again rainy.

In his second year at Lotus, Senna again scored two victories, in Jerez and Detroit. In 1987, his final year with Lotus, the Brazilian scored the first of his six Monaco victories and his second straight victory in the streets of Detroit, showing that he was something special on tight and turny street tracks.

For 1988 Ayrton Senna moved to McLaren and had the best season of his career. Eight victories helped him win the championship. The next year was a step back with only six wins. However, the same number of wins gave Senna his second World Championship in 1990. The year after, the Brazilian scored seven wins to claim his third championship in four years. However, that’s where the McLaren domination ended and in 1992 Senna had to settle for just three wins against the nearly unbeatable Williams. The next year McLaren and Senna were without the Honda power that had brought them so many victories, but Senna performed strong nonetheless and secured five victories to bring his tally to 41. Arguably his best win came in Australia that year wining in an inferior McLaren MP4-8 around the tight street circuit of Adelaide.

In 1994, Senna moved to what had been the strongest team in the past two years in order to make a run for his fourth championship. Three pole positions didn’t lead to success and on 1 May 1994, Ayrton Senna was killed at Imola, while leading the race.

A/V Odds ‘n Ends

Saturday, May 5th, 2007

A few audio and video clips I’ve been meaning to post for some time.

Classic Senna followed by the McLaren team in a candid moment followed by Classic Montoya. Enjoy.

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Massa takes the flag in Brasil

Thursday, October 26th, 2006

When I saw Massa stop and take a Brazilian flag from a marshal I was reminded of Senna doing the same in 1993 when he won his home race. I’m sure I’m not the only person but the image of Senna clenching a flag in his fist and waving it in victory is one of my fondest memories of him.

Senna waves Brazilian flag

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JYS asks Senna the tough questions

Wednesday, September 13th, 2006

I can’t remember where I got this clip but it’s a great interview of Senna by Jackie Stewart. JYS asks him about all his transgressions on the track and Senna isn’t about to take any lip from the legend. Great stuff.

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