![]() Over the years, several TAG Heuer watches have sported the Senna brand, a red logo featuring ‘curvilinear shapes’, inspired by the curve of the Autódromo de Interlagos which bears the name of the legendary driver. Founded in 1994, this non-profit organisation provides assistance to ‘Brazilian children and young people’, helping them realise their potential through education. The Brazilian driver, three times world champion succumbed to fatal injuries and passed away, just 34 years of age.Īfter Senna’s death, his sister, Viviane, established the Instituto Ayrton Senna. ![]() Later, while negotiating Tamburello corner on lap seven, tragedy struck as Senna crashed and the world stopped rotating for a while. The accident came as a shock to drivers, team personnel and spectators alike, as it was the first driver fatality during a race weekend for 12 years (Elio de Angelis was killed at Paul Ricard in 1986).Īyrton Senna da Silva was still saddened by the death of his fellow competitor when he affixed his helmet, climbed into the cockpit of his Williams Renault Formula One car and sat on pole, focussed on the race. An Austrian driver, Roland Ratzenberger, was tragically killed during free practice the previous day. One fateful day, the 1st May 1994, there was an air of sadness pervading the Formula One paddock. Moreover, tragedies were not restricted merely to drivers but also included spectators as well. However, in the past, the high number of fatalities was simply horrific. Thankfully, when modern-day drivers push the limits too far, they invariably walk away with impunity. Returning to the cars of today, they are much safer than their antecedents from the 1970s. The proud Brazilian was not overtly political, but he was always eager to help the poor. The legendary driver was deeply religious and was said to have discreetly given away millions of dollars to charity. His selflessness on this occasion showed a softer side to Senna. ![]() Senna, jeopardising his own safety, ran across the track, which was in use at the time, to assist Coma, saving his life. And yet, in the 1992 Belgian Grand Prix, he stopped during Friday qualifying to help Erik Comas who had suffered a huge accident. Quite simply, he could be a ruthless opponent. On one hand he would often overtake competitors, placing his car on the track in such a way that his opponents would either have to move to avoid him, thereby letting him past, or hold their line and inevitably crash. The Brazilian was a complex man, sometimes displaying contradictory traits. Senna had a keen eye for detail, providing incredible feedback to his team, relaying every subtle nuance about the track surface and how the car behaved. When cornering, he braked later and for less time than every other driver and on exiting the bend, he began stabbing the throttle sooner than his competitors. In-car footage reveals he drove each lap to its maximum potential. Other drivers talked about being in awe of his ability, often talking about his means of making a car “dance” on the track, especially around corners. His commitment to his sport and, specifically, winning, surpassed everything in his life, setting him apart from his rivals. Senna was mentally and physically tougher than his contemporaries. Moreover, when other drivers who competed against Senna, such as Martin Brundle, David Coulthard, Nigel Mansell, John Watson, et al were asked the same question, all of them cited Senna as the best. Interestingly, when Schumacher and Hamilton were asked who they felt was the greatest driver of all time, they both said “Senna” without hesitation. Nevertheless, setting aside mere statistics, a small number of names come to the fore: Fangio, Senna, Schumacher and Hamilton. None of these enhancements were available to Fangio or Senna. Today’s lightweight cars are packed with electronics, possess incredible aerodynamic and mechanical grip, semi-automatic gearboxes, ingenious suspension and super-sticky tyres. Like many areas of life, Formula One has witnessed change. To answer this question fairly proves very difficult. However, after every race, once the Champagne-soaked podium has dried, talk inevitably turns to ‘who was the greatest driver of all time?’ In recent times, many fans of Formula One have acknowledged Lewis Hamilton’s skill behind the wheel, especially after he secured his sixth World Championship. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Ayrton Senna Special Edition 2019 pays tribute to the legendary racing driver and marks 25 years since his tragic passing. TAG Heuer Formula 1 Calibre 16 Ayrton Senna Special Edition 2019
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