Great Brazilians · Special
Ayrton Senna
Three world titles. Forty-one wins. A legacy that still reaches Brazilian classrooms.
1960–1994
São Paulo, 1960
Ayrton Senna was born in São Paulo on March 21, 1960. He made his Formula 1 debut at the 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix and won for the first time a year later in Portugal, aged 25.
Champion of the world
He won the world title three times, in 1988, 1990 and 1991, all with McLaren. His career totals stand at 161 starts, 41 wins, 65 pole positions and 80 podiums.
The master of Monaco
Monaco became his race. He won the Grand Prix there six times, in 1987 and then five years in a row from 1989 to 1993, a record.
Interlagos, 1991
His first win at home came in 1991. In the closing laps his McLaren was left running in sixth gear, his shoulders cramping as rain began to fall. He won by 2.9 seconds and had to be helped from the car.
May 1, 1994
Senna died in Bologna on May 1, 1994, aged 34, from injuries sustained at the San Marino Grand Prix. Shortly before, he had sketched out an education project with his sister, Viviane.
A legacy in the classroom
His family founded the Instituto Ayrton Senna in November 1994, led by Viviane Senna. The institute reports more than 36 million services to children and young people, over 300,000 teachers trained and work in more than 3,000 cities. Revenue from the Senna brand helps fund it.
Notes
Sources: Formula 1 · Formula 1 · Autosport · Propmark · Wikipedia
Editorial feature. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Senna family, Senna Brands or the Instituto Ayrton Senna. Art created by Brazil Minute. Photos are illustrative and do not show Ayrton Senna.
Photos: milan degraeve, Renan, Leonardo Caetano, Hiroya Nakashima, Samuel Costa Melo, Allen Y / Unsplash