The Death Of Ayrton Senna

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 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.

"Series first published in Spain in 2020 under the series title Pequeäno & grande, by Alba Editorial, in Barcelona"--Copyright page.

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!

Telling the story of Ayrton Senna is not easy. It means retracing an intense competitive career, looking into the vulnerable soul of a complex man, and reliving his tragic death, which came during the bloodiest weekend in the history of modern motor racing. It also means paying homage to a truly heroic figure, whose grace and appeal remain intact. In other words, we are talking about a journey into the collective memory, within which each racing fan cherishes particular moments, personal memories, emotions and grief related to a figure who in some way continues to appear and to race in a highly colourful firmament. This brings us to Ercole Colombo. His photos. His passion for Formula 1, and his innate ability as a reporter, combined with the aesthetic touch of a great photographer.

This superbly illustrated book is complete with quotes from those who knew Ayrton best, his team-mates, rivals and the media.