McLaren have unveiled a stunning Ayrton Senna tribute livery for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix as F1 continues to mark the 30th anniversary of the legendary driver’s death.
In F1’s history, May 1 commemorated the thirtieth anniversary of Senna’s demise during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, a momentous event that remains etched in memory.
McLaren reveal special Ayrton Senna tribute livery for Monaco Grand Prix
Senna’s illustrious career is widely recognized, as he secured three World Championships, achieved an impressive 41 grand prix victories, and earned an astonishing 65 pole positions. Many consider him to be one of the greatest drivers in history.
Last weekend, F1 held a race at Imola, the tragic location where Senna lost his life. Leading the efforts to pay tribute to Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, who also tragically lost his life at the 1994 San Marino GP, was four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel.
This weekend, the F1 2024 calendar will make its way to Monte Carlo, a track famously associated with the Brazilian driver who triumphed in F1’s most esteemed race on six separate occasions. In 1988, he delivered what is widely regarded as the most exceptional lap in F1 history, surpassing his McLaren teammate Alain Prost by a remarkable 1.427 seconds. This lap was described by the driver himself as a transcendent experience akin to being out of one’s own body.
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On the eve of F1’s comeback to Monaco, McLaren, the team that Senna won all three of his Championships with in 1988, 1990, and 1991, has unveiled a unique livery inspired by the colors of the Brazilian’s famous helmet design – yellow, green, and blue.
The collaboration between Senna Brand, McLaren sponsor OKX, and the livery is referred to as a heartfelt homage to Senna. It serves as a commemoration of his enduring influence on McLaren and Formula 1, marking 30 years since his unfortunate demise.
In honor of the occasion, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the McLaren drivers, will be sporting custom race suits. Additionally, the team staff will be dressed in attire inspired by the legendary Ayrton Senna.
In homage to Senna, McLaren Automotive, the road car division of the manufacturer, has crafted a unique edition of the McLaren Senna vehicle. Aptly named Senna Sempre, this one-of-a-kind car showcases a hand-painted color scheme that draws inspiration from his iconic helmet design.
“The McLaren livery is a tribute to the remarkable life and racing heritage of Ayrton Senna, which we are honored to acknowledge and commemorate. Senna continues to be held in high regard as Formula 1’s ultimate symbol, and as the most accomplished driver in McLaren’s history,” stated Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren.
“His influence on McLaren is immense, not just due to his track record but also his invaluable presence within the team. Now, as we race at his most triumphant circuit, adorned in his iconic green, yellow, and blue colors, it is truly an honor to carry forward his legacy.”
“We are excited to be collaborating with Senna Brand, Official Presenting Partner OKX, and our colleagues at McLaren Automotive on the ‘McLaren SENNA presented by OKX’ campaign.”
“To commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of his demise, the team has decided to honor and rejoice in his life at Monaco, a cherished and triumphant racing destination of his. We eagerly anticipate competing this weekend adorned in this lively and exquisite livery.”
Bianca Senna, the niece of Senna, expressed her gratitude in being able to pay tribute to Ayrton through these liveries in partnership with both McLaren Racing and McLaren Automotive.
“It is an incredible tribute to honor his life and enduring legacy by adorning both cars with his iconic colors.”
McLaren held great significance for him, and their partnership yielded numerous accomplishments that continue to be widely recognized and remembered even today.
Seeing it race the streets of Monaco, a circuit that brought him immense joy and countless victories, will truly be a remarkable sight.
Haider Rafique, the Chief Marketing Officer of OKX, stated that their partnership for the Senna livery during the Monaco Grand Prix goes beyond a mere tribute. Instead, it is a joyous commemoration of Ayrton Senna’s unparalleled legacy and his significant influence on the world of racing and McLaren as a whole.
“Our aim at OKX is to serve as a conduit between the younger generation and Senna’s legacy, thereby inspiring and influencing this new generation.”
We desired to join this initiative with the intention of more than just commemorating a racing legend. Our aim was to create a living tribute that would deeply connect with fans and participants, while also ensuring that Senna’s legacy remains influential in the realm of Formula 1 and beyond.
McLaren has been consistently adding remarkable one-off liveries to its expanding collection, with the Senna special being the most recent addition. Among these exceptional designs, the Monaco 2021 Gulf color scheme stands out as a fan-favorite.
In F1 2023, McLaren showcased a special livery known as the ‘Triple Crown’ in orange, white, and black. This unique design paid tribute to the team’s exceptional achievement as the sole manufacturer to triumph in the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indianapolis 500, and the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The team has recently revealed the Senna livery, which pays homage to the F1 icon. This unveiling follows the release of rare data from the 1988 Monaco GP, a race in which Senna unfortunately crashed while comfortably leading, ultimately giving the victory to Prost.
McLaren’s social media channels featured the publication of the authentic handwritten timesheet, encompassing Senna’s laptimes and intricate car setup particulars.
The record for Lap 67 can be summarized in three simple words: “Portier crash occurred.”
From 1989 onwards, Senna would go on an impressive winning streak in Monaco, triumphing in the race five consecutive times and earning himself a legendary status in the process.
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