So here is my top six starting with:
Number 6: 1990 US Grand Prix
Story: The start of the 1990 season at Phoenix in USA, were Senna was in a dominating McLaren MP4/5B with a Honda 3.5l V10 underneath his car with Goodyear tyres.
But, Senna had to come from behind after Jean Alesi in his under-funded Tyrrell 018 with his under-powered Cosworth 3.5l V8 with Pirelli tyres. Almost stole the race away from the Brazilian, what would have been a major upset win for Alesi. But, somehow Senna pass Alesi to take the lead and the win. Senna took an eight-second win over Alesi at the end, who scored his first podium finish in Formula 1. And for Tyrrell team a great result likewise.
Number 5: 1986 Spanish Grand Prix
Story: From the 1986 season, round two at Jerez in Spain, were Senna in his Lotus Renault 98T (the most powerful Lotus ever) won the race ahead of Nigel Mansell's Williams by just 0.010 of a second! (Below, video of the race) Possibly some of Senna's best defence driving to keep hold of that win at the end of the race.
Number 4: 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix
Story: From the 1991 season, round two at Interlagos on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Senna pleased his home fans by taking pole ahead of the two Williams cars of Riccardo Patrese and Nigel Mansell. At the start, Senna took off ahead of Mansell and Patrese. With 20 laps to go, Senna who was experiencing gearbox troubles, and 10 laps to go Senna only had 6th gear in wet conditions with Patrese closing down after Mansell retired with gearbox troubles. But, Senna continue on and won his home race at Sao Paulo by a mere 2.9 seconds from Patrese. And if the race continue for another lap, be may not have won it.
Number 3: 1988 Japanese Grand Prix
Story: The penultimate round in the 1988 F1 season. Senna started on pole at Suzuka. However, Senna stalled his MP4/4. But a sloping grid at Suzuka, helped him to restart his car and place at fourteenth place. Senna knew he had nothing to lose and everything to gain in this race, and knew he could seal the championship here. By the end of the first lap he was eighth place, and by the fourth lap he was sitting in fourth position. Then on lap 27 Senna passed Alain Prost for the lead, and took the lead for the rest of the race to win. With victory in the race, Senna clinched his first World Driver's title.
Number 2: 1984 Monaco Grand Prix
Story: So one of Ayrton Senna best race, possibly the first time at Monaco 1984, were the race was very wet race that year. Have to remember that the car Senna that year Toleman Hart turbo (later to become Benetton and Renault after that) wasn't the best car in the field (that would be McLaren Porsche Tag Turbo in that era). He finished 2nd right behind Alain Prost that day, still showed his talents that day.
Number 1: 1993 European Grand Prix
Story: Ayrton Senna's first lap at a damp/wet/dry Donnington Park. Started from forth place on the grid behind Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher. Then on the first lap, blocked by Michael Schumacher, which Karl Wendlinger overtake for forth place. After that Magic!, passing Karl Wendlinger, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and Alain Prost on the first lap right before the Melbourne loop, on a wet Donnington track to give Senna one of the best opening laps in history!
Despite he was in an underpowered McLaren MP4/8 (had a non-works Ford V8, which had 100 bhp less than the Williams FW15C Renault V10 engine at that period) won the European Grand Prix, at Donnington Park, in wet/damp/dry conditions. And Senna was over a minute ahead of Damon Hill and lapping the rest of the field as-well. That was a great of a driver Senna is.
End of Post now, new Post soon. Bye.
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