Ayrton Senna is a name that evokes admiration and emotion among Formula 1 fans. He is widely regarded as one of the fastest and most talented drivers ever to grace the sport.
He won three world championships and 41 races in his career, before his tragic death in 1994. But is he also the greatest F1 driver of all time?
This is a question that has been debated for decades among fans, experts, and drivers themselves. In this article, we will examine some of the factors that make Ayrton Senna a strong contender for the title of the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of F1.
We will look at his achievements, his skills, his personality, and his legacy. We will also compare him with some of his rivals and peers, such as Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and others.
With our neutral scoring system you will be able to judge for yourself who is the greatest of all time.
Ayrton Senna’s Racings Statistics
Senna holds the following racing achievements
- No of races entered 147
- Race wins 41
- Pole positions 65
- Podiums Achieved 77
- Number of racing points ever achieved 597
- Race wins as % of races entered 27.8%
Senna’s racings statistics score is 930
Ayrton Senna’s Consistency
Ayrton Senna came in 2nd place in his 6th formula one race and won his 1st F1 race the 18th race he entered.
He achieved 4th place in the world championships in his 2nd year of racing in F1.
In his 5th year of racing he won the world championships.
In the intervening years he has won a further 2 championships making it 3 overall.
This speaks to an incredible consistency
Based on the scoring described above the value of his consistency is 2164.
Ayrton Senna’s Driving Ability
Ayrton Senna was one of the most fast and talented drivers in Formula 1 history. He had a remarkable ability to drive on the limit, to adapt to different cars and conditions, to dominate the race and the car, and to overcome the challenges and dangers of his era. He was a master of speed, precision, passion, and determination.
Senna had a remarkable ability to drive on the limit. He was able to extract the maximum performance from any car he drove, regardless of its quality or reliability.
Ayrton was able to find the best lines and braking points on any circuit, regardless of its layout or surface. He was able to set the fastest lap times and pole positions on any occasion, regardless of the weather or the competition.
Senna Was A Consumate Racer
He was also able to maintain his speed and concentration throughout the race, regardless of the distance or the fatigue. Senna was often faster than his rivals by several tenths or even seconds, and he often won by large margins.
Senna also had a remarkable ability to adapt to different cars and conditions. He was able to drive for three different teams in his career, winning championships with each of them.
Ayrton was able to drive different types of cars, such as turbocharged or normally aspirated, active suspension or passive suspension, electronic aids or no aids, etc. He was able to drive on different types of circuits, such as street circuits or permanent tracks, flat or hilly terrain, clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, etc.
Senna was able to drive in different types of weather conditions, such as dry or wet, hot or cold, sunny or cloudy, etc. He was especially known for his prowess in wet conditions, where he could demonstrate his superior car control and sensitivity.
He was always able to find the best setup and strategy for each car and condition, and he often made adjustments during the race.
He Dominated The Racing
Senna also had a remarkable ability to dominate the race and the car. He was able to manage his tyres, his fuel, his engine, and his brakes. He was able to avoid mechanical failures and punctures, which were common in his era.
Senna was able to anticipate and avoid accidents and collisions, which were frequent and fatal in his era. He was also able to recover from mistakes and setbacks, such as spins or delays. He was always aware of his position and his rivals’ position on the track, and he knew when to attack and when to defend, when to overtake and when to wait, when to push and when to save.
Ayrton was also able to communicate with his team and his mechanics through radio or pit boards.
Finally, Senna also had a remarkable ability to overcome the challenges and dangers of his era. He started his career late, at the age of 24, after having a successful career in karting and junior formulas.
He faced fierce competition from some of the best drivers of all time, such as Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, etc.
Senna raced in some of the most difficult and demanding races of all time, such as Monaco Grand Prix, Brazilian Grand Prix, Japanese Grand Prix etc.
He raced in some of the most unsafe and risky conditions of all time, such as poor visibility inadequate safety measures lack of medical assistance etc. He survived several crashes and injuries that ultimately ended his life.
We score Ayrton Senna’s drivers ability as 20/20
Ayrton Senna’s Contribution To The Sport
Ayrton Senna was not only a great driver, but also a great contributor to the sport of Formula 1. He played a significant role in the development and innovation of the sport, as well as in its popularity and prestige. He also left a lasting legacy and influence on other drivers and fans.
Senna was one of the drivers who helped to shape the evolution of Formula 1 in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the sport underwent major changes in terms of technology, safety, regulations, and competition.
He was involved in the introduction and improvement of various features, such as active suspension, semi-automatic gearbox, traction control, electronic aids, and refuelling.
Ayrton also contributed to the advancement of aerodynamics, tire design, engine management, and telemetry. He was always keen to experiment with new ideas and solutions, and he often collaborated with some of the best engineers and designers in the sport, such as Patrick Head, Adrian Newey, Ron Dennis, and Frank Williams.
He Was One Of The Reasons F1 Became So Popular
Senna was also one of the drivers who helped to increase the popularity and prestige of Formula 1 around the world. He was a global star who attracted millions of fans and media attention.
Ayrton was involved in some of the most thrilling and memorable races and rivalries in the history of the sport, especially with Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, and Michael Schumacher.
He also represented some of the most iconic and successful teams in the sport, such as Lotus, McLaren, and Williams. He was admired for his speed, talent, passion, and charisma.
Finally, Senna left a lasting legacy and influence on other drivers and fans. He inspired many young drivers who followed his footsteps and tried to emulate his style and achievements.
Some of them became world champions themselves, such as Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen, Lewis Hamilton etc. He also influenced many fans who admired his driving ability and personality. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time by various polls and rankings.
Senna is also honored by various awards and recognitions such as the Brazilian Sportsman of the Century in 1999 the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2000 the FIA Hall of Fame in 2017 etc.
We score Ayrton Senna’s drivers Contribution To The Sport as 20/20
Ayrton Senna’s Popularity
Ayrton Senna was one of the most popular and famous drivers in Formula 1 history. He had a large and loyal fan base around the world, who admired his driving ability and personality.
Senna also had a significant impact on the media and the public, who followed his career and achievements with interest and enthusiasm. He was a global icon who transcended the sport and became a cultural phenomenon.
Senna had a strong appeal to the fans, who appreciated his speed and talent, his passion and determination, his charisma and charm.
He was able to connect with the fans on a personal level, by sharing his emotions and opinions, by being accessible and friendly, and by showing his human side.
He was also able to inspire the fans with his achievements and legacy, by winning races and championships, by overcoming challenges and difficulties, by breaking records and barriers, and by leaving a mark on the sport.
We award him 100/100 for popularity.
Final Result (Score)
Ayrton Senna’s total score is 3,234
Divided by number of years in F1 (10) average score per year is 323.4
