Ayrton Senna - McLaren

2014 | Biography

Legendary Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna's intensity and commitment earned him a reputation as one of the biggest names in world sport. In his brief, fiery Grand Prix career, he won 41 races and three world championships. But it was his belief, passion and raw speed that made him a global superstar - and, at times, a dramatically controversial figure. Senna felt he was the best - and his results certainly backed up his belief. But the Brazilian's rivals - most notably his McLaren team-mate, Alain Prost - were aware that his self-belief could be contentious; his utter refusal to be beaten occasionally led to colourful consequences on the track. Senna's death at the San Marino Grand Prix on 1 May 1994 stunned the world. Many books have been written since that freak accident at the wheel of a Williams 20 years ago, but none captures the warm relationship he had with McLaren, the team with which he enjoyed his greatest successes.

Ayrton Senna paints a picture of the sport's most charismatic driver through the voices of the people who knew him best; the team-mates, engineers, mechanics and management personnel who were part of the McLaren family during Senna's six seasons with the team. It had been Ayrton's wish to establish a means of helping underprivileged children in Brazil. The Ayrton Senna Foundation, established shortly after his death, has helped more than two million youngsters over the past 20 years. Written with the full support of Ayrton's family, a portion of this book's proceeds will go towards funding the foundation's future work and endeavours.

Maurice Hamilton (Author)