Onboard Senna - 1991 USA Grand Prix

This is another masterclass in street driving from Ayrton Senna. In this video you can see, like in the Monaco videos, that Senna was 'at one' with car!

On a street circuit nearly 99% of drivers will say they'll drive within themselves. However Senna was not like this. He drove 100% on any circuit, whether it be a normal circuit, or a street one!

The ability to drive on a street circuit 100% is purely phsycholical, and this was one of Senna strongest phsycholigical achievements. Senna embraced fear because he realised he was fear, he understood what fear meant. Like with the way the Senna didn't interpret grip, he actually was grip, he knew he couldn't watch fear, or try to overcome it. He understood he had to become fear! Once he did this, his mind could literally rubbish fear and drive at 100%!

Modern F1 - Too Easy! Onboard of Modern F1 Cars!

I have found couple of videos of Button, and Alonso putting in some laps to demonstrate how easy Formula 1 has become. This is not an attack on either of these two drivers, but the more and more the cars become over complication with sequentional gearboxes, traction control, stability control and alot more, the less teh driver is involved with the car. This takes away so much from the sport. And is a shame. Anyway here are the two vids. Keep on eye on the lack of imput the driver has to put in compared to the videos of Senna!

Button at Melbourne Park, Austrailia



Alonso Pole Lap at Siverstone

Prost Suzuka Vs Senna Suzuka!

I thought I would put a clip up of Mr Smooth - Alain Prost, and compare it to Senna!

Alain Prost


Senna



They maybe from different years, but there is a huge difference in driving style!

What feel I get from the Prost vid is that he drives within himself! He isn't pushing the car close to, or past the limit. This actually probably makes him a great GP driver as it means he is more consistent!

Senna on the other hand is on the ragged edge, pushing boundries constantly.

I haven't got much to say on this as the videos tells it all!

Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, and Michael Schumacher battle at the Silverstone Grand Prix

Here is a great example of defensive driving from Ayrton Senna. Never one to give up on a position Senna defends like a true driving God! I can't imagine how Senna was able to hold his position for so long. His ability to handle the car on a defensive line (off line) means he can keep other cars behind him.

Ayrton Senna - Amazing Out Board Lap of Spa

This is a fantastic lap of Spa by Ayrton Senna.

You'll notice is Senna braking into the first corner. As usual he is pushing the limits. What you'll also notice is how the car behaves. It looks as if it is twitching. This comes from Senna's karting days. In a kart it is essential to get the brakes working to their limit. And that means locking the tyres. You'll notice top karters will have the kart kicking a little sideways under braking. This is where I believe Senna learned how to puch the limits of any vehicle.

The general rule is to be super smooth on the brakes, but Senna drives more like he is driving a kart. This is what makes him unique!

Ayrton Senna Qualifying - Onboard Lap of Jerez 1990

Here's another great lap from Ayrton Senna tackling Jerez. Again, this videos shows the characteristics of Senna's driving technique, especially the final corner when he has to use opposite lock to control the car.

Notice how heavy Senna was on the throttle with his heel toe technique. It may be me, but it sounds as if if really has to rev the engine as he changes down the corner.

Also, one thing to also notice, is how many tiny corrections Senna has to constently make with the car as he pushes the limit of the grip available to him. It makes watching a modern Formula One driver drive hard seem leisurely and dull!

Ayrton Senna Video in Monaco Grand Prix. In-Car Camera.

This is Ayrton Senna driving his Mclaren Formula One car to pole at the Monaco Grand Prix. Listen to what he says as he narrates the clip-

"You think you have a limit, and then you go for this limit and you touch this limit, and you think OK, this is the limit. As soon you touch this limit, something happens to you; suddenly you can go a little bit further. With your mind power, your determination, your instinct and your experience as well, you can fly very high."-Ayrton Senna

You can see him pushing this limit throughout the lap. Watch his inside front semi-lock into the first corner. Also notice how he has to correct the car on the exit of Rasscass. He is constantly going beyond the limit. Pushing the car all the time.

Also notice Senna's throttle technique. Senna isn't smooth on the throttle. The complete opposite in fact. If you watch the NSX video you can actually see Senna's feet blipping the throttle. If you listen to the Monaco Grand Prix qualifying clip you can hear how he jabs the throttle on the exit of tight corners.

This clip certainly shows what he means by going beyond the limit.

Ayrton Senna - Wet Donington Grand Prix!

This is one of Aryton Senna's finest Grand Prix moments. Driving his Mclaren Forumla One car he passes several other cars on the first lap to make it to first...in the wet at Donington!

Notice Ayrton Senna's line down Craner Curves. He takes an outside line. As he does this he overtakes the Sauber. Though the track may look wetter on that part of the circuit, it actually may give more grip. The reason is that on the racing line alot of rubber is laid down by the tyres of a Formula One car. This rubber when wet becomes very slippy and offers little grip. The best thing to do is go offline where there is no rubber laid down, as this gives greater grip.

This is why he is able to overtake people with such ease, because offline offers more grip.

Added to his knowldge of wet lines, Senna's style of being beyond the limit allows him to push more than any other driver.

Ayrton Senna Vs Alain Prost in Karts!

Here is a video of Ayrton Senna racing karts against Formula One rival Alain Prost. Senna always proclaimed karting to be the purest form of motorsport, and he definately showed his famous skill and passion in this video! Here is some analysis of Senna's driving

Ayrton Senna - Honda NSX with Heel Toe Shots!

Check out the master in the Honda NSX, which he helped develop. The first thing that will strike you is his footwear. He seems to be wearing loafers!

This video is fantastic as it shows what made Senna so unique. Let's take a look at his throttle technique. The orthodox way of throttle control is to be smooth and progressive while trying to feel the grip etc... But Senna does something completely different than pretty much anyone else. He blips the throttle, and then buries it, rather than being smooth. You can see it clearly in the video.

This technique works because it's Senna's way of constantly reaching the limit, then coming back from it, then reaching it again. Being smooth on the throttle only allows a driver to be just under the limit, but it seems that Senna throttle technique allows him to flirt with the limit alot easier.

Senna's technique is inhereted from his karting days, and if you watch any onboard shots of Senna you can hear the engine being blipped all the time.

Ayrton Senna - Qualifying for the Suzuka Grand Prix!

Here is a vid of Ayrton Senna driving his Mclaren Formula One car to pole at the Suzuka Grand Prix on the edge!