Monoposto

Nº 22

Ayrton Senna

1988, 1990–91 World Champion

Honda Marlboro McLaren

Overview

Ayrton Senna da Silva, born in São Paulo on 21 March 1960, won the World Drivers' Championship with McLaren in 1988, 1990 and 1991.1 He won at Monaco a record six times, and held the record for pole positions when he died.1

He died on 1 May 1994 from injuries sustained while leading the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.1

1988

Eight wins, 3 points clear of Alain Prost

Only a driver's best results counted in 1988. He scored 94 points in all, and 90 counted.

Eight wins

In the McLaren MP4/4 he beat teammate Alain Prost by three points, with a then-record eight wins, as McLaren won 15 of 16 races.1

Every Grand Prix finish, 1988

Numeral size follows the result. Round 1 at left.

1990

Six wins, 7 points clear of Alain Prost

Suzuka

He won his second title after colliding with Prost at the Japanese Grand Prix, and later admitted he had wrecked him intentionally.1

Every Grand Prix finish, 1990

Numeral size follows the result. Round 1 at left.

1991

Seven wins, 24 points clear of Nigel Mansell

Three titles

In the MP4/6 he won his home race in Brazil and his third title, the youngest three-time champion at the time.1

Every Grand Prix finish, 1991

Numeral size follows the result. Round 1 at left.

Image plates

5 photographs, in season order

Helmet

Sid Mosca designed it in 1979 for Brazil's team at the World Karting Championship in Estoril, painting the helmets in five days. His first design for Senna had been white, with a serrated blue stripe.8

Yellow was chosen as the colour of Brazilian sport, and because it stands out from a distance. The green and blue stripes start from the driver's eyes, to suggest focus.8 He kept the scheme for 15 years.9

1988

Auge=mit · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Background removed

1990

Auge=mit · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Background removed

1991

Auge=mit · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Background removed

Three title cars

All three titles came with McLaren and Honda.1

The McLaren MP4/6 at Phoenix in 1991.

wileynorwichphoto · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
1988
McLaren MP4/4
1990
McLaren MP4/5B
1991
McLaren MP4/6

Road to the title

  1. 1984Formula One debut in Brazil.1
  2. 1985First pole and first win, in the wet in Portugal.1
  3. 1988–91Three titles with McLaren.1
  4. 1993Last win, in Australia, and sixth win at Monaco.1

Records

  • Most Monaco Grand Prix wins, with six1
  • Most poles at his death, with 651
  • Eight wins in a season, a record at the time, 19881
  • Youngest three-time champion at the time, 19911

Sources