Ayrton Senna. A name that still reverberates around the modern era of Formula 1 – a hero to even some contemporary Grand Prix drivers, but a villain to others. The release of the award-winning Senna documentary last year has brought his name back into the headlines, and given everyone a chance to relive his career through the film. The Autosport International Racing Car Show at the Birmingham NEC provided an opportunity to see some of his cars in the flesh: a dedicated exhibition area was bolstered...

It's been a long wait; well over a year to be precise. The Lotus Day at Fuji Speedway was supposed to be held last September but after a strong typhoon ravaged Fuji Speedway and two of the access roads leading to it, there was no alternative but to cancel the event. It was decided to reschedule for the end of March this year, however as all of you know Mother Nature had other plans. The massive earthquake that struck the Tohoku region, and the problems that followed with the Daiichi plant in...

Reader Xander Walker was in New York for the premiere of Senna , a movie that I'm sure many of you will be familiar with. To celebrate the launch, Forsyth St in Manhattan was filled with something a little bit different to their usual traffic: Formula 1 cars. Here's what Xander had to say about the premiere. Xander: I won't use this space to speak too much about the film. It's prize at Sundance surely says enough. If you love cars, you need to see this movie. If you love cinema, you...

Our last post for Honda Month is also in memory of Ayrton Senna da Silva, who lost his life 17 years ago today, at the San Marino Grand Prix. This BBC Top Gear tribute is one of the best I've seen and is recommended viewing.

Senna and Honda had a remarkable relationship. Instantly popular with the Japanese public, the Brazilian helped to develop the Honda NSX and also took part in many Honda events over the years. At McLaren-Honda's last Japanese Grand Prix, Senna also had a Japanese flag on his helmet.

In 1994, Senna had left McLaren for Williams. And although many people expected him to 'pop' back to McLaren some day, he never had the chance.

Lewis Hamilton is a huge Senna fan. I remember when he was a teen, visiting McLaren he was in awe of Senna's MP4/4 sitting in the old Woking reception. In 2009, he had the opportunity to drive this special machine around Silverstone and BBC Top Gear also caught it on camera.

- Andy Blackmore

Video: BBC Top Gear

 

BBC Top Gear -Ayrton Senna tribute

BBC Top Gear - Lewis Hamilton drives Ayrton Senna's McLaren MP4/4 Honda

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes - Lewis and Jenson take a look at the MP4/4

For Honda enthusiasts, one of the most venerable platforms was the EF chassis. I've been lucky enough to drive a few different tuned EFs in the past and they were all extremely fun. Here's a rather famous video featuring Senna and Nakajima driving a CRX and Civic around Suzuka. My favourite part is at 4:03, where Nakajima pushes just a little too hard through 130R. 

- Charles Kha

 

Fellow Speedhunters, I've just had the pleasure of attending a screening of the Senna movie, due for worldwide release on October 8th. 

Without any doubt, it's a film worth watching. There's a fair bit of never-before-seen footage of the great driver, from family videos to some scintillating on-board footage at Monaco in '88. The film essentially focuses on Senna's life from '84 to '94, though there is also reference to his karting days; "The purest racing I ever did in my life. No politics, no money - just pure racing".

All in all, it's a dignified look at one of the world's greatest divers - though one who was undeniably flawed (think Monza '88 and especially, Suzuka '90). Nobody's perfect, and maybe that's why Senna tugs at the heartstrings of so many diehard F1 fans, his human infallability.

Like all biographical films, this one's directed clearly from Ayrton's side of the ring. Don't get me wrong, I am, and always have been, a huge admirer of the Brazilian's talents, often getting into heated arguments with Prost fans back in the day. But the fact remains, he brought in a whole new level of ruthlessness and intimidation to the sport.  And some would say, paved the way for the antics of future stars such as one Michael Schumacher...

No matter what side of the argument you agree with, there's no denying the fact that he brought an entire generation of new fans to F1, such was his prowess behind the wheel. He was also one of the most charismatic drivers of his era. 

 

 - Len Clarke

Was it really more than 25 years ago? That first time I met the quiet, slight Brazilian with the burning intensity in his eyes? Thruxton, a ex-WW2 fighter base in Hampshire and although it is close to Stonehenge it is not generally regarded as a place of dreams or magic. It is almost always windy and usually cold too, oh and don't forget the rain. Its main virtue as far as I was concerned was that it was around an hour from home. Back then I was a camp follower to the British Formula Three scene...