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Ayrton Senna’s greatest drives
On the 20th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s tragic death, we look at his greatest ever moments.
Three-time world champion, Ayrton Senna
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It’s been 20 years to the day since Ayrton Senna lost his life during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix and as a tribute to the Brazilian racing legend, RedBull.com looks back at his best races.
Senna finished second for Toleman in Monaco '84
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Senna’s breakthrough – Monaco 1984
Senna was famous for being great at Monaco and great in the wet, so it’s no surprise that his breakthrough race came at a wet Monaco Grand Prix. In only his sixth race in an unfavoured Toleman, the Brazilian carved his way through the field from 13th and closed in on race leader, Alain Prost.
As conditions worsened, Senna began to catch Prost at almost four seconds a lap but his charge was cut short when the race was red flagged on lap 32, meaning the Brazilian had to settle for second.
Senna completely dominated the 1985 Portuguese GP
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Senna’s first win – Estoril 1985
Now with a competitive Lotus under him, it didn’t take Senna long to take his maiden victory. In the second race of 1985, Senna put in another wet weather master class, finishing a full minute ahead of second placed Michele Alboreto and lapping everyone else.
Senna celebrates his first title in Japan '88
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Senna’s champions drive – Japan 1988
Despite dropping to 14th on the opening lap, Senna sliced his way through the field and by lap 27 he’d caught and passed Prost. What a way to clinch the championship.
An exhausted Senna at Interlagos in 1991
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Senna’s home victory – Brazil 1991
By 1991, Senna had 26 victories to his name but was still yet to win the Brazilian Grand Prix, with a curse seemingly preventing him from winning at home.
Leading the race comfortably with two laps to go, it seemed like Senna’s home curse had struck again. The Brazilian had lost third, fourth and fifth gear and to add insult to injury, it began to rain.
Senna held on to victory having driven the final few laps stuck in sixth gear, but was left so exhausted the Brazilian had to be lifted from his car in one of motorsport's most iconic scenes.
Senna went from fifth to first on the first lap
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Senna’s greatest win – Donington 1993
You can’t have a Senna list without mentioning the 1993 European Grand Prix. Driving an underpowered McLaren, Senna took on the mighty Adrian Newey-designed Williams FW15C and won in spectacular fashion.
The race started with Senna dropping down to fifth place, but in arguably the greatest lap in Formula One history, the Brazilian powered his McLaren through the field and into the lead by the end of the first lap.
In his favourite conditions, Senna gave yet another of his signature wet weather drives and came within a few seconds of lapping the entire field.
