The Death of Ayrton Senna

At Imola San Marino Grand Prix on May 1, 1994 it was a dark day for Formula 1. Prior to the race there were many accidents that occured. First it was Barrichello who nearly died in Friday practice session. It was a worst case scenario for the Formula 1 community. Then it got worst, as Roland Ratzenberger crashed heavily in the Villeneuve corner of the track and died.

It was a terrifying scene because the car bounced off the wall, and you can see Roland's head was just hanging off the left side part of the cockpit as the car skidded back on to the track. It was one of the major fatality in F1 in a long time. It schocked the drivers as well as the fans. Senna predicted after the 1993 season that there will be a lot of crashes because the FIA banned all the drivers aid. Drivers aids a like traction control, active suspension, and other equipment that helped improved safety.

As it happened on that faithfull day in San Marino Grand Prix when Senna's FW16 plunged into the Tamburello corner. At first glanced it look like any other accidents in any motor racing. You would have thought that after the crash Senna would just have walked away from the huge crash, but unfortunately it was not to be. A piece of suspension turned into a dangerous shraphnel and it pierced through Ayrton's helmet. It's amazing when you're a racing driver it seems that every race there is a probability that you might die.

Ayrton Senna lived to race and he never back down from it. It was as if it was the only thing that mattered to him, winning and racing. It was an apocalyptic schocked to everyone from the Formula 1 drivers to the media and the fans as well. Ayrton's death brought about the safety level of the F1 car to a higher level. His death also brought about the change in the Tamburello corner. Today its a chicane rather than a fast left hander corner. This incident left many in a somber state and Formula 1 will never be the same again.

Why Ayrton Senna was the Greatest Racing Driver

The Best F1racingdriver Ever this is a link to an article that portrays why Senna was the greatest driver in F1 history. Many key points and explanation that was covered in this article; so check it out and see for yourself.

Tribute To The Greatest F1 Driver Part 2

Ayrton Senna From Prost's Perspective

These two drivers shared a lot of glory, and pain. These two drivers were the best in the chosen era that they had raced. The problem was that there can only be one champion, so in order to be champion one of them has to lose. Senna was a man of extreme, a very complicated man yet very enlightening to others when he talks about his beliefs.

Ayrton Senna always tried to be the best even if his equipment was not on par with the other drivers. He strived for excellence so when it comes to teaming up with Prost; it was he who said that he is supposed to be number 1 in the team not Prost. Prost was the team leader at the time when he had to choose between Senna or Piquet. Prost chosed Senna and from that point on forward; Prost knew he made a big mistake.

If you want to read more about this article, read this article from a Prost fan. The article is called Ayrton Senna - by Alain Prost this is a great article to read about Prost whom Senna raced a whole lot. He explained in detail about how Senna was as a person and as a racer.

Tribute To The Greatest F1 Driver Part 1

The 1993 Season

In 1993 F1 season, it was in this year that Senna proved to the world that he was still a top contender without the having the best car. It was in this season that showed the world that he hasn't lost any of his driving prowess. Even with the unstoppable Williams and the mighty Benneton, Senna still battled and won many races in 1993 despite his car's lack of pace compare to the other 2 teams.

Many thought that Senna was not going to race because he couldn't accept the fact that his nemesis was driving the best car. Not only that but Prost won't allow Senna in the Williams team. So Senna felt that he will only race if his team was competitive but the Mclaren team fell off from the top of the food chain. It was hard for Senna to accept that he will only place 2nd or 3rd even if he drove at his limits. Then finally Senna made up his mind and decided that he will race for the team, but the catch was that he will get paid everytime he races. Rumor has it that Mclaren paid Senna a million dollars or more per race.

As soon as the deal was settled, Senna buckled down and went for it. He was fighting again and in his first race at Kyalami circuit, and he managed to snatch 2nd by fending off Schumacher. Prost and Senna was at it again battling it out on the track.
Then in Brazil where Senna pulled off a magnificent drive when he stayed 2nd place for most of the time and capitalized Prost's misfortune. That does not discredit Ayrton's skills in the wet and his superb concentration to go 100% on every lap of the race. Along with good strategies with the team, Senna was on top again in only two races.

The 3rd race was at Donnington where Ayrton pulled off the greatest overtaking maneuvers in the history of F1. Senna can only put his car at 5th place in qualifying and that was not enough to reassure his victory, but he refused to admit defeat. As the race got off to a start, it was chaos because the track was damp and normally in a wet track the possibility of overtaking and winning was impossible. Yet, Senna was overtaking everybody at the start of the race. As soon as Senna finished the first lap of the race, he was first. That race was one of the most memorable and epic race of the entire season.

In only 3 races Senna was the leading the championship, but his luck was about to run out soon. In San Marino GP Senna failed to finish because of hydraulic problems and his team mate Andretti spun off track. It was a bad day for Mclaren and they go to the next race expecting a mountain to climb because of the Williams car was just blisteringly fast. Next up was circuit de catalunya in Spain, and as usual the Williams cars were on pole. Even with Hill's retirement Senna could only managed a 2nd place behind Prost. Then in Monaco GP Ayrton fought back and claimed first place by driving superbly and avoiding any mistakes.

In Canada where Senna could only muster an 8th place in qualifying, and that was an unsual place for Senna to be at that position. Considering his car was not par with the Benettons and the Williams, I think he did an outstanding job transcending his car's limitation. After the race ended in dismay because of an engine failure. There was more mechanical glitches to come later races. Only in Japan where Senna finally won again and proved that he hasn't given up winning. Even after the close altercation with Eddy Irvine, Senna lap almost everybody when he won in Suzuka. At the last race of the season in Australia at Adelaide circuit; finally for the first time Ayrton took pole position. He won that race and he accumulated 5 wins in a season where his car was not the fastest and reliable. He managed to place second in the championship standing as well.

Despite the Mclarens cars pace was off and could not rival the might of the Williams. Senna managed to carry the team to the front in certain occasion where he performed and delivered the impossible. Even the Benettons were faster than the Mclaren because they have a better and stronger engine. Imagine if you were driving for Mclaren and you were 80 horsepower down against the Bennetons and at least 120 horsepower down against the Williams. That was a big gap in performance and it was at least 2 to 5 second difference if you put the power figures in perspective.

So it was a lot to make up and oppressing to bear because you know that you won't win the championship despite your efforts. This was obviously one of the best season for Senna and he is rightfully the greatest driver of all time.

Senna vs Schumacher Part 2

In the Senna vs Schumacher article that I've written months ago. I explained a lot about the qualities of these two drivers and also their similarities and differences. Yet there is some of the aspect of the qualities of a great that needs clarity.

The BBC publish an article about Senna v Schumacher and it illustrated some of the points I have not mentioned in the previous Senna vs Schumacher. It covers a lot of the technical portion, ultimate speed, race craft, and many other topics. I won't spoil it for you so check out the article and see for yourself that Senna was the best of both drivers.