The most definitive and compelling book about the legendary racing driver, now a BAFTA award-winning documentary. 'For the casual racing fan it's a mighty good read, for the Senna fan it's indispensable' Time Out Millions of people around the world watched in horror on that fateful day in Imola at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix when Ayrton Senna's car careered off the track at 190mph. The greatest driver in Formula One history was dead. In this classic sports book, Richard Williams explores the complex Brazilian who was a hero in his own country and an icon to everyone who loved not just motor-racing but sport itself. In his drive to win and his desire always to test himself to the limit, Senna embodied all that is best and most thrilling in sport.
This definitive record of Ayrton Senna's racing life provides detailed coverage of every single race in which he competed, including Formula Ford, Formula 3 and Formula 1, in addition to one-off appearances and tests in other categories, such as the World Sports Car Championship and Indy Car. The compelling text features insightful new material drawn from interviews with many of Senna's rivals and colleagues - from early opponent Calvin Fish to Williams team-mate Damon Hill - and is accompanied by a rich array of high-quality period photographs captured through the lenses of Sutton Images, where brothers Keith and Mark Sutton between them followed Senna's meteoric career from the very beginning. Graced with a foreword by Martin Brundle, Senna's great rival in Formula 3 during 1983, this top-quality book provides a fitting tribute to a Formula 1 legend whose legacy today extends far beyond the world of motor racing. - The karting years: racing in Brazil and South America between 1973 and 1977, and Senna's efforts to win the elusive karting World Championship between 1978 and 1981. - Formula Ford 1600 and 2000: racing with the Van Diemen works team in 1981, before progressing to FF2000 in 1982, dominating the British and European championships. - Formula 3: the battle with Martin Brundle for the 1983 British F3 Championship. - Formula 1 baptism with Toleman: nearly winning the rain-shortened Monaco Grand Prix, and qualifying third at Estoril, behind Piquet's Brabham and Prost's McLaren. - The Lotus years, 1985–87: Senna's first wins, at Estoril and Spa in 1985, two more wins in 1986, and his final Lotus year, with wins in Monaco and Detroit, before signing for McLaren for the 1988 season. - The McLaren years, 1988–93: first world title in 1988 followed by an acrimonious year with team-mate Alain Prost in 1989. - Two further world titles in 1990 and 1991, but then Williams emerges to dominate with Nigel Mansell (1992) and Alain Prost (1993), Senna winning five races in his final year for McLaren. - The final season (1994): driving for a no-longer-dominant Williams, struggling to take the fight to Benetton and Michael Schumacher, before tragically losing his life at Imola. Royal Automobile Club shortlist of contenders for Motoring Book of the Year!
This is an illustrated account of Formula One driver Ayrton Senna's life. It examines every detail - from his early days, to his first race and on to his world championships to his pole positions and finally his death and its aftermath.
From his World Championship victory in 1988 to his controversial disputes the following year and finally to his recapture of the title in 1990, Ayrton Senna has regularly made the headlines. Yet many regard him as a shy and introverted personality.
In the late eighties and early nineties, Formula One was at its most explosive, with thrilling races, charismatic drivers, nail-biting climaxes - and the most deadly rivalry ever witnessed in sport. Two of Formula One's most honoured champions and iconic figures drove together for McLaren for two seasons, and their acrimonious and hostile relationship extended even after one of them had left the team. ALAIN PROST, France's only F1 world champion, the intelligent, smooth driver with the epithet 'Le Professeur'. AYRTON SENNA, the mercurial kid from a privileged background in Sao Paolo who would become the most intense and ruthless racing driver the world has ever seen. It was a story that would have a tragic ending. As the great rivals raced to victory, their relationship deteriorated badly, beginning with the breaking of a gentleman's agreement, and public spats followed, culminating in Prost accusing Senna of deliberately trying to ride him off the circuit, and fearful that the Brazilian would get someone killed with his daring overtaking feats. And the final, sad act of this drama happened at the San Marino Grand prix at Imola in May 1994, when Senna was killed. Featuring a rare interview with Prost, and insight from Martin Brundle, Damon Hill, Sir Frank Williams, Bernie Ecclestone, Derek Warrick, Johnny Herbert, Gerhard Berger, plus McLaren insiders and other F1 figures, Malcolm Folley provides us with a breath-taking account of one of the all-time classic sporting rivalries.
Five years after his tragic death at Imola, race fans continue to display a huge interest in the life and career of Formula 1 champion Ayrton Senna. This new study offers fresh insights into the Brazilian's wealthy childhood in Sao Paulo, the Imola crash inquiry, the charitable Senna Foundation and the grief that still lingers among F1 fans. Also includes interviews with drivers who raced against Senna.
This biography of Ayrton Senna offers an insight into an intensely private man - his life, beliefs and career. It charts his growing up, the weekend of the San Marino Grand Prix and his death, as well as charting his full racing career.
