In 1978, I went to Europe, competing outside of Brazil for the first time
in a World Championship.
It was driving at its best, pure racing.
There was no politics.
No money involved. It was true competition.
(Milton de Silva - Ayrton's Father) We did not think that karting
could become a career.
But it has become a big part of our lives
and we are a bit worried
because he will probably end up in Formula One.
(Neyda Senna - Ayrton's Mother) May God protect him forever...
...from all the danger which is what I fear most.
I would like to thank him because he is a good son
and this year he worked hard and honestly.
For me, that is more important than any title.
The time has come.
Ayrton is ready to drive a Formula One car for the first time.
I believe it was God that gave me this opportunity,
I've been waiting a long time.
And now He is also helping me to remain calm, tranquil, relaxed.
1984
(Reginaldo Leme - Commentator) Ayrton, this is a beautiful city,
with wonderful streets to walk, but unsuitable to host a race, right?
ln fact. I arrived at the last minute
and I was surprised. I've never been to Monaco.
I did some test laps
And fortunately, I managed to adapt to the path.
There is no margin for error: any error would result in an accident.
But for now, I'm satisfied.
I was travelling a lot, as a Formula One journalist
Ayrton began to stand out in F1 driving with Toleman.
Toleman was a team that was not winning.
The car was not a winner
and he could not win a race.
That's why what Ayrton did in Monaco was true genius.
Monaco Grand Prix June 3rd 1984
Senna's 8th Formula One race
Ayrton Senna overtakes Keke Rosberg gaining third position.
And overtakes Niki Lauda!
Ayrton Senna takes second place!
At the most dangerous part of the track!
He gets the checkered flag.
lncredible!
Ayrton raises his arms and shakes with enthusiasm!
Celebrating as if he won the race!
If he had a few more laps,
he would have certainly taken the lead.
I had a serious chance of winning.
But until he crossed the finish line in first position,
you do not know.
Formula One is politics, a lot of money
and when you are not yet important, you must also deal with such things.
1985
Even as a child, he always knew what he wanted
and made sure to get it.
For example, he paid attention in class
so he didn't have to study at home
and have more time to go on his go-kart.
Portugal Grand Prix - April 21st 1985 Ayrton's Second race with Lotus
Ayrton was exceptional when it rained.
When the conditions were bad and the track became slippery
he had a higher gear.
The Estoril race was incredible.
He lapped all his opponents except one.
It's wonderful! It's a extraordinary feeling.
I am very happy because, in my second year in Formula One,
I managed to realise a dream, which was to win a first Grand Prix.
It's a unique feeling.
It's like a drug.
A feeling very strong and intense.
After tasting it the first time you're always looking for it.
It was raining really hard. There was no competition, really.
He would have won that race if it was run 100 times.
It was a very important race for Brazil for several reasons,
including that day, that Sunday,
the president Tancredo Neves
had died in Brazil.
That political moment for Brazil was very important,
because he was the first elected president
after the end of the dictatorship.
He had been ill for some time and died.
There was the risk that Brazil would suffer another blow
or something like that, that nobody wanted.
Senna's win was very important in that sense,
for the Brazilian public, for the Brazilian people, for us there,
and I'm sure he felt it too later in the evening
when we were eating dinner. He came that night, we went to dinner,
and the same night he left the restaurant to catch a plane home to Brazil.
I think many Japanese girls
are fans of Mr. Senna.
I'm so close to Mr. Senna, I'm even nervous...
At that time the strongest teams were Williams and McLaren.
McLaren was,
I would say, a constructor which had always reflected
the same values as Ayrton.
In that sense Ayrton and Ron Dennis had much in common.
They were both perfectionists...
Let's put it like this. Both have
the idea that nothing will go wrong if something is well planned and executed
and have always fought by the same ideals.
Ron comes from a background of hard work.
He has struggled to get where he is now
and has been successful in life. They are both very close.
At that time the trilogy "The best team, best driver, best car"
was led by Ron Dennis at McLaren.
In Formula One your team mate
is your biggest rival,
the person to beat
because he is the only one who has a car equal to yours.
I can be in a McLaren and say that the Ferrari is better
or be in the Ferrari, saying McLaren is better,
but not that my Ferrari
is different from my team mate's Ferrari.
So then,
especially early in his career
when a driver enters a team
and his first rival is his team mate,
if he drives better than his team mate
he has a chance to move on.
If not, it's the end of his career.
Announcement of the McLaren drivers
(Viviane Senna - Ayrton's Sister)
The first year at McLaren was decisive in the life of Ayrton.
He was very nervous.
It was as if he wore the weight of the world on his shoulders,
because he felt the responsibility
of having to prove that he really was a good driver.
Before Senna came to McLaren
Alain Prost was considered the destroyer of team mates.
I remember talking to Jo Ramirez
He said:
"Reginald, I'm very worried
about what will happen with Ayrton Senna at McLaren.
I know he has talent,
but Alain Prost is a warrior,
he creates the climate of a war
which helps him to destroy his opponents,
as he did with Keke Rosberg."
Using the word "destroy" in the technical sense.
Destroyed on the track,
mentally beating his opponent.
I said to Jo Ramirez:
"Jo, it will be different with Senna.
because he has more talent
than others
who were on Prost's team."
And that's what happened.
Alain Prost was surprised.
Despite all that Prost had
and in terms of talent,
understanding of race, intelligence
and cold blood, he was surprised
when he began racing with Ayrton. He didn't think that
drivers could be as good as Ayrton.
1988
Monaco Grand Prix 14th May 1988
Japanese Grand Prix 30th October 1988
It is the 15th race of the season.
At dawn, Brazil awakes waiting for the chequered flag.
and for Ayrton Senna to win his first world title in Formula One,
realizing a childhood dream.
Voice of Pierre Van Vliet TF1 commentator
They are about to start. Here we are. Green light.
Senna does not start!
Prost came out ahead while Ayrton Senna was left behind.
Ayrton Senna is in 14th place.
I thought, "So long title.
It's over."
He's now in eighth place. An amazing comeback for Senna.
Now his favourite thing has happened,
it's raining.
Senna is now in fourth position.
Senna goes, goes, goes!
Senna's getting closer. He wants to overtake.
Senna goes for it and passes Prost.
Ayrton Senna is now in the lead.
I started to feel happy during the last lap.
I thanked God
It was incredible. I was going to win the championship,
Despite all the anxiety and tension.
I felt His presence.
I have seen God
It was a very special moment for me.
An indescribable feeling.
It remained in my memory
and it's part of me.
Ayrton Senna of Brazil!
World Champion 1988!
Sao Paolo
What incredible race!
A great victory. He had to climb from 16th position.
Ayrton, do you feel as champion Mondop
I feel so much peace.
It is as if someone had removed a huge burden
from the shoulders and head.
It is difficult to understand what it means be a world champion.
Sao Paolo 15th November 1988
He is an amazing person.
And he's very humble,
he shows Brazil's image abroad.
Shares his victory with us.
I admire him very much.
He is very brave.
I just know this.
We are proud of him.
He is one of the few things that we can still be proud of.
Once, I asked Ayrton when will he stop racing.
He said, 'Mom, I'll stop when I win the world title."
ln my heart I knew that wasn't true.
We all know that.
Video of the Senna family
After the 1988 Championship, after he won the title,
I clearly noticed that he had changed.
He had found himself.
He had discovered who he was.
Doing so proved effective in winning the championship.
At Christmas, many things happen.
We make new friends,
like who I'm about to introduce.
He was a big part of my 1988.
Ayrton Senna.
Isn't he cute?
I have a question for you.
I think everybody is excited, but none more than me,
It is not easy to talk. Ayrton is now my friend.
Ayrton, what do you want for Christmas?
As a gift?
What I really want, I can't say here.
Why not?
It'll be censored. Let's say I just want to be happy.
Whisper it to me.
Happy New Year.
Happy 1990.
Happy '91.
Happy '92.
Happy '93.
1989
It is curious
that in English "team mate" is translated into Portuguese as "companheiros de equipe."
I've often used the term "Team enemies".
If you have two drivers, as in the case
of Prost and Ayrton,
as team mates,
inevitably there arises
internal disputes.
Senna and Prost. Prost and Senna.
At the start, These two are always there.
But it is war between them.
Because the French driver Alain Prost,
thinks that his team mate was unfair to him
and it seems that this fight will last
the rest of the season.
Grand Prix after Grand Prix they fought more and more.
Ayrton said: "This Frenchman is tough.
He wants war."
Some time later,
they stopped speaking to each other.
Jean-Marie Balestre FIA President
I would like to welcome the President of the FIA, Mr. Balestre.
Japanese Grand Prix Pre-race meeting for drivers.
Japanese Grand Prix 22nd October 1989
Prost, first. Senna, second.
Prost jumps into the lead.
His start is better.
Crashed. For Prost, it's okay.
If the race ends like this, Prost has won the title.
Ayrton Senna is now hoping for a win.
Nannini passes.
Nannini is now in the lead.
Senna has not returned to the race.
Senna is back on the track, but he is a long way from Nannini.
Catching up is almost impossible.
It's all or nothing, five laps to go.
It will be a suicidal race for Senna, he will try anything.
Prost saw Ayrton return to the race
and immediately went to the stewards' office.
Nannini, first. Senna, second.
Senna tries and passes Nannini.
Senna is in the lead.
Waving Brazilian flags.
Everyone standing.
Ayrton Senna.
The chequered flag!
Senna celebrates in the cockpit.
He hits his helmet,
Ayrton Senna of Brazil!
Visibly moved,
he raises the visor and wipes his tears.
It is a fantastic victory.
Never seen anything like it.
It's unusual for the podium to be delayed.
As the delay grew, people feared that the decision came down to politics.
The decision taken by the race officials...
...the Japanese Grand Prix
excludes the number one car and its driver, Ayrton Senna,
from the final outcome of the race.
After the race,
the giant screen
repeatedly showed the incident
and everything that happened with Senna returning to the track.
After reviewing these images, the race officials have concluded
that for not using the chicane
to resume racing
Senna has infringed Article 56 Regulation of the FIA.
FIA headquarters in Paris
The Court of Appeals declares
a six-month suspension of Senna's license
as a warning not only to Ayrton Senna,
but to all drivers,
and a fine of $100,000.
Even if you are one of the best drivers in the world,
you have no right to cause stupid accidents.
It was a blow to Ayrton,
because Balestre had behaved even worse than Prost.
He almost gave up racing Formula One.
1990
All drivers race at their limit.
My limit is different from Prost, I think this is reality.
And instead of him seeking to improve himself,
he found it easier, more comfortable, attacking.
Ayrton has a problem. He thinks he can not die on the track
because he believes in God and things like that.
I think it is very dangerous for other drivers.
The fact that I believe in God, the fact that I have faith in God,
doesn't say that I am immortal,
or are immune from danger,
as has been said.
I'm afraid of hurting myself just like everyone else,
especially driving in Formula One,
where the threat is constant.
Spanish Grand Prix 30th September 1990
Martin Donnelly
Japanese Grand Prix 21st October 1990
Pre-race meeting for drivers.
Nelson Piquet World Champion 1981, 1983, 1987
If the circuit was open, it would be better
the outside, not inside,
because inside there is no grip.
We will look at it.
Yes, please.
Crashed.
If the race continues, the championship will have been decided.
The championship is finished.
Ayrton Senna is the 1990 World Champion.
FIA Awards Paris 1990
Jackie Stewart F1 World Champion 1969, 1971, 1973
The rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Prost
is the strongest I've ever seen in sports
throughout my career. Over 38 years spent in Formula One,
I did football, did the World Cup, the Olympics
and worked in many other areas,
but I've never seen a rivalry similar to that between Prost and Ayrton.
Because it was a rivalry that involved everything. Everything.
There was criticism, mainly from Prost
of the behavior of Ayrton as a person.
Two of the greatest champions in the history of Formula One
in the sand. Championship ruined.
One accused the other, but Prost was the one who was the harshest.
His reaction was violent.
I wanted to punch him in the face,
but I was so disgusted,
that I couldn't.
It makes me sick.
The situation in Brazil was very negative and depressing.
But many times, when Ayrton won,
instead of hiding that he was Brazilian, like others,
he did the opposite, waving the flag of his country.
And he did every Sunday.
He was an inspiration to people. That's why they loved him so much.
1991
Ayrton had never won the Grand Prix of Brazil.
Since he began in Formula One he dreamed of winning in his country.
Brazilian Grand Prix 21st March 1991
The Brazilian Grand Prix is on.
Red light. Green light.
A good start.
Come on, Senna!
Senna takes the lead.
Here's Senna It's starting to rain.
It's raining. It must stop.
7 laps to the finish
It seems impossible to drive a Formula One car stuck in 6th gear.
He wanted to stop. He could no longer continue.
But he had already tried many times to win the Brazilian Grand Prix
He found a special force within himself.
Another corner and Senna crosses the line.
Go for the win!
Ayrton, Ayrton... the Brazilian Ayrton Senna!
ln the lead from start to finish, he wins at lnterlagos!
A wonderful victory for Senna.
No way!
God damn it,
I won!
"Prost, the son of a bitch"
He won and then fainted.
It was his most heroic moment.
Because of the tremendous physical effort,
I had muscle spasms in the shoulder and neck.
The pain was very strong.
The physical and mental stress this weekend was enormous,
but could there be only one result.
I finished the race with nothing to spare.
Come here, Dad. Come on.
Come here.
Quiet, Ayrton.
Do not touch me.
I need help
Carry the flag for me.
I fought hard.
I wanted to finish the race and finish in first position,
because He is the greatest
and He gave me this race.
That's what happened.
It is God who gave me this race and I'm happy.
It was thrilling.
All hail the Brazilian Senna for his victory. Congratulations.
I thank all of Brazil. I thank all the fans.
This weekend I felt around me so much warmth
we had to win this time.
It could not be otherwise,
and we did.
House of the Senna family, Sao Paulo
Ayrton was so well known in Brazil
Many people asked for help
for personal problems.
Hospitals and charities sought his support.
Ayrton gave and tried to work things out.
But he did not want to make random donations.
He wanted to develop something organized, structured
to help Brazil, especially the children.
Mexican Grand Prix 14th June 1991
Professor Sid Watkins F1 Doctor
German Grand Prix 28th July 1991
Roland Bruynseraede Race Director
Japanese Grand Prix 19th October 1991
Mansell tries to overtake, but he goes off!
Mansell goes off!
The Championship is over. Mansell cannot get out of the gravel trap.
Ayrton Senna of Brazil, three-time Formula One World Champion!
A lifetime dedicated to this moment
by a genius of international sport.
Three-time world champion and many other titles ahead of him.
Thirty-one years of age.
Thirty-three wins, three world championships.
Breaking record after record. He celebrates as only Senna can do.
It is a very special gift for me.
Thank you so much.
Sao Paulo, Brazil 5th November 1991
I followed Senna, walked with him
on the streets of many countries around the world,
in particular to get to the circuits, such as in Japan
where there is a one kilometer walk to reach the hotel
and to reach the circuit you must cross an amusement park
And I thought: "How can a person be worshipped in this way?"
It was a worship without limits.
I kissed the hands of Senna, Senna's left hand, three times world champion.
I want to see Senna. I want to hug him and kiss him.
I have a box with everything, clippings, photos,
everything you can imagine.
He is the only good thing in Brazil.
I think it's an amazing party,
where anything goes. What matters is happiness.
You talked about Formula One, today?
Formula One is too boring. Today is Carnival.
Have any of your girls ever told you: "Faster, Ayrton"?
Yes
For Ayrton, winning the third world title
was the culmination of a script he had written for himself
well before entering Formula One,
because he knew he was capable of it and even more.
He was already an idol of Brazilian sport.
With the third title, it became the world.
1992
The negotiations were lengthy
and we still do not know who will be Prost's team mate.
The three-time world champion has signed
a two-year contract with Williams
He will start tests this week with his car.
I'm pretty sure of one thing:
I'm the one that has more to lose
if I had to stop for a year or more,
because I'm at the peak of my career
and the career of a Formula One driver is limited.
So if I stop, I'd lose out more than anyone else,
both professionally and personally.
Adriane Galisteu
1993
In 1993, Ayrton drove his car so brilliantly.
For me, it was his best season.
Brazilian Grand Prix 1993
European Grand Prix 1993
Monaco Grand Prix 1993
Ayrton fought hard to win at Monaco, but did not make it,
struggled to win at Suzuka, but did not make it,
and when he was struggling to get into Williams
he thought it was the end of his career.
Sometimes it makes no sense ... We always say
that we must fight for our ideals, for what we want out of life.
But sometimes the fight doesn't bring the result you want.
1994
For Ayrton Senna, it is a race against time.
He has to attune himself to be an integral part of the team and adapt to the new car.
He says he is not yet comfortable.
The car no longer has the electronic components used last year.
He is without traction control, special brakes and active suspension.
The cars are much less stable
without the electronically controlled suspension.
As a result, they are more difficult to drive
and it is very likely that more cars will leave the track.
So we might see more cars crashing, giving more excitement to the audience.
Also for us, as long as nothing happens to the drivers.
Otherwise, it is not a good situation.
Brazilian Grand Prix 27th March 1994
Pacific Grand Prix 17th April 1994
San Marino Grand Prix, Imola April 1994
Friday 29th April 1994
Senna was so nervous that weekend. I had never seen him so tense.
I never saw him smile even for a moment.
He always maintained a concentrated expression, irritated,
even sad.
Rubens Barrichello Jordan
Do you know Ayrton or should I introduce you?
We met four years earlier. I already met him.
Knew him by name, or in person?
I know him because I follow Formula One and then we met in person.
Why are you so nervous, then?
When standing next to someone like him
you always get nervous.
Good luck to the champion and the future champion.
Get well, Rubens.
Saturday 30th April 1994
Roland Ratzenberger Simtek
That Saturday, at dinner, Frank Williams was not at all sure
if Senna would be on the grid.
I myself was sure he would not run.
The last time I saw Ayrton was on Sunday.
He was very agitated.
He had some friends who were talking to him.
And he went from the Williams motorhome to the pits,
going back and forth. To and fro. I always do
before going to my position in the commentary booth,
I always question the pro drivers, all Brazilians,
and I ask close friends about the race strategy.
Some respond, others do not
but always reveal something that is important
that I can report to the public during the race.
I expected to be able to
put my questions to Ayrton but I didn't.
I saw that was not the right time to ask questions.
Sunday May 1st 1994
That morning when he woke up...
he asked God to speak to him.
He opened the Bible
and read a passage that said
that God would give him the greatest gift of all gifts.
Which was Himself.
A collision.
They all swerve around. Look.
Lamy collides at full speed.
Lehto is stopped.
A nasty collision. Lamy and Lehto have had no luck.
Safety car goes to the track.
Ayrton confessed to some people, I found out before the race,
he had an Austrian flag in the pocket of his overalls.
And if he were to win the race, or if he made the podium
which was very likely,
he would show the Austrian flag in honor of Roland Ratzenberger.
Lights out on the safety car.
It means that the safety car is about to come into the pits.
Race is restarting. Senna is in the lead.
Schumacher is second.
Michael Schumacher tries to put pressure on Ayrton Senna's lap on Friday.
Bad crash for Senna
at the Tamburello corner.
A very serious accident.
There was no one cause.
But what I believe is that the steering column broke
and the car became uncontrollable.
But above all, it was inevitable because
the car crashed at an exact angle so the suspension arm
went into his helmet.
Sao Paulo, Brazil 4th May 1994
He was my idol. He represented the best of Brazil.
I miss you, Senna.
I'll never forget you.
The Brazilian people need food, education, health care
and a little joy.
The joy is now gone.
AYRTON SENNA DA SILVA 21-03-1960 01-05-1994
Nothing can separate me from the love of God
Ayrton Senna died at the age of 34.
As a result of his death,
The FIA appointed Professor Sid Watkins
to improve safety in Formula One.
No fatalities occurred in Formula One since.
The Ayrton Senna Foundation, created in 1995 by his sister Viviane,
has helped educate more than 12 million needy children of Brazil.
Alain Prost is a member of the advisory board of the institute.