During the weekend of August 23–25, the Silverstone Formula One track, where the legendary Brazilian driver won the most Grand Prix races of his remarkable career, will honor the driver who passed away in 1994 with a display of his vehicles.
Something that looked unreal rocked the world of motor racing and sport in general thirty years ago. Three-time Formula One champion Ayrton Senna (1988, 1989, and 1991) was killed after he crashed into the deadly Imola curve. Senna was a Brazilian driver.
The news that Ayrton Senna had perished in the accident on May 1, 1994, which was confirmed minutes later, stunned the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Although he had achieved 41 victories and 80 podiums in Formula One, his illustrious career was far from over.
Thirty years after that momentous event in the history of global sports, honors are being bestowed upon a guy who, in the opinion of the time’s experts, may have been the greatest of all time. Ayrton Senna’s race cars will be featured in a unique tribute show that will be ready for this summer’s Silverstone Festival.
Pierre Gasly, the current Formula One driver, was in Silverstone recently testing the driver’s first Formula One car. Born in São Paulo on March 21, 1960, Gasly was raised in Brazil.
Senna’s first World Championship points were earned in the legendary Toleman TG183B during his 1984 Grand Prix debut, 40 years ago. Bank Holiday weekend (August 23–25) will include a number of classic machines on display, including the Toleman.
Senna won more races at Silverstone than any other circuit throughout his storied career, and many of those historic winners will be on display at the Silverstone Festival in honor of his incredible accomplishments.
Thirty years after the horrific accident at the same Imola track, on May 19, Gasly’s circuits in the Toleman were captured on camera by Sky F1 as part of an emotional remembrance of Senna’s amazing legacy.
Born two years after Senna’s passing, the BWT Alpine F1 driver is a huge fan of the three-time world champion and will be competing in Imola donning a helmet that pays homage to the late great. To further enhance the recollections, he donned the identical moving helmet during his time behind the wheel of the South American Toleman at Silverstone.
The Frenchman said, “I can’t remember such an incredible experience.” “It exceeded my expectations to drive Senna’s debut Formula One vehicle. It was so touching. I had never driven a car older than I was, and I was amazed at how pure the driving was—just three pedals and a straightforward steering wheel, very different from what I’m used to in a contemporary F1 car. I will always remember it as a singular event. Extremely unique.”
Senna made his Formula One (F1) debut with the modest but ambitious Toleman team, whose history is especially noteworthy because it was eventually acquired by Benetton and then Renault, before changing its name to the Alpine F1 team, which Gasly currently races for.
Attendees of the Silverstone Festival this summer can look forward to exhibits from both extremes. With the approval of the Senna family, the classic Toleman will be one of the highlights of the special Star Car display honoring the legendary Ayrton Senna. The most recent Alpine A524 will also be among a number of contemporary F1 show vehicles captivating spectators in the event’s perennially well-liked FanZone.
All Silverstone Festival tickets include admission to both exhibitions. The festival is scheduled for August 23–25, 2024.