How Senna and McLaren are forever linked
Three decades on from Ayrton Senna’s tragic death, the Brazilian and McLaren are eternally linked.
Senna initially rejected proposals from McLaren’s then-team principal, Ron Dennis, to race for him in Formula 3; the Brazilian instead chose to race for Toleman.
Toleman was the team where Senna achieved his breakthrough in 1984 at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he almost bested McLaren driver and future rival Alain Prost in the rain.
He would go on to race for Team Lotus achieving multiple victories over three seasons, before joining McLaren in 1988.
Senna was determined to be the best, and he knew that if he entered Prost’s domain at McLaren and beat him, then everyone would know he was the greatest driver.
The contrasting personalities and styles between Prost and Senna captivated the world, and their clashes on and off the track helped develop their battle as Formula 1’s fiercest rivalry.
The Brazilian believed that if he was in the car, he was there to be the fastest. Millions around the world fell in love with his mentality and determination to find the limit of what was physically possible.
McLaren allowed Senna to bring out his true greatness, to show the world what he was capable of; he could battle against a tough team-mate and rival and therefore shine.
McLaren had already won five World Championships before Senna arrived in 1988, but he took them to the next level, through his personality, drive and determination.
Dennis spoke of him by saying: “I liked his principles; he demonstrated what he was prepared to do to achieve his objectives, and he raised my game. It played to my strengths.”
He drove others to be at their best
Senna’s personality also brought out the best in his fellow team members.
There is a story of team manager Jo Ramirez begging Senna to win his final race for them in Australia in 1993. Senna went out and did just that, placing McLaren ahead of Ferrari in the overall wins table.
McLaren claims designers Steve Nichols and Neil Oatley still regard their Senna days as when they learned to give their absolute best.
Ultimately, the lessons that Senna instilled in McLaren have shaped the team today.
His work ethic has been passed down, and millions are inspired by him.
Almost every single driver idolises Senna today.
His early death at Imola on May 1, 1994, aged just 34, added to the legend that he had built.
Those who were fortunate to witness him race would agree that he had achieved legendary status while he still raced.
Through his impact on generations of new drivers, Brazil’s passion and love for Formula 1, and through the Senna Foundation, his legacy as one of the greatest ever drivers will live forever.
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