The 1988 San Marino Grand Prix sees Ayrton Senna seated in the cockpit of his McLaren MP4/4 within the garage.
McLaren have released rare data from Ayrton Senna’s 1988 Monaco Grand Prix on the 30th anniversary of the famous race at the principality.
May 1 marked 30 years since the death of Senna, widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, with the next two race weekends certain to be particularly poignant for the sport.
McLaren publish Ayrton Senna’s 1988 Monaco Grand Prix data
The F1 race at Imola this weekend brings back memories of the tragic crash that took the life of the Brazilian icon in 1994. Following this event, the F1 2024 season will shift to Monaco, a race that Senna dominated, securing victory an impressive six times throughout his illustrious career.
Senna produced arguably his greatest-ever performance at the 1988 Monaco Grand Prix, where he qualified 1.427 seconds ahead of McLaren team-mate Alain Prost and later likened his qualifying lap to an out-of-body experience.
Senna had a commanding lead over Prost, nearly a minute, as the race neared its end the next day. However, with only 11 laps left, he unfortunately crashed at Portier corner.
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After the accident, Senna, who became well-known for his retirement to his apartment, made a remarkable recovery and went on to secure his first of three World Championships at the conclusion of the 1988 season.
From 1989 onwards, he triumphed in the Monaco race five consecutive times, ensuring he would never experience defeat in Monaco again.
McLaren has released the original handwritten timesheet of Senna’s race to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the event. This document not only includes his lap times but also provides detailed information about the setup, such as roll bar, damper, and camber settings, along with gear ratios.
The notation for Lap 67 simply reads: “Had an accident at Portier.”
"Crashed at Portier"
The original handwritten timesheet from Ayrton Senna's 1988 Monaco Grand Prix – 36 years ago today. #Senna30 #SennaSempre pic.twitter.com/vuQ1SUEnjH
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 15, 2024
Senna, who secured at least a second place finish in the subsequent eight races, with six victories, managed to gain control over the championship race. He later referred to the Monaco race as the pivotal moment in the 1988 World Championship, acknowledging that his error provided him with the opportunity to make the most significant advancement in his career.
In the highly regarded biography ‘The Life of Senna’, he is documented as stating that the championship took a turn at Monaco.
“After making that mistake, I experienced a profound psychological and mental awakening, which prompted significant personal changes.”
“It bestowed upon me the fortitude, the might, and the composed mindset to confront challenging circumstances. In that moment, I embarked on the most significant stride of my career as a racing driver, as a professional, and as an individual.”
I must express that it has brought me closer to God in a way I have never experienced before, ultimately leading to a complete transformation in my life.
I have evolved into a superior individual compared to my previous self. I have enhanced my abilities and performance in all aspects of my life.
The accident was more than just a driving error.
“It resulted from an internal struggle that rendered me immobile and susceptible.”
“I had two paths before me – one leading to God and the other to the devil. The accident served as a sign, indicating that God was present, ready to extend his help. All I needed to do was express my desires to him.”
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