Share

WATCH | This collection of rare VHS footage shows Ayrton Senna in something other than a Formula 1 car

accreditation
Ayrton Senna. Image: Getty Images
Ayrton Senna. Image: Getty Images

Ayrton Senna is widely regarded as the best driver to grace a Formula 1 car. His untimely passing in 1994 sent shock waves through the racing world.

Many enthusiasts also have fond memories of the rain-soaked 1984 Monaco Grand Prix and the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix, where his car was stuck in sixth-gear for the last few laps of the race as he drove to his first home victory.

Senna in a car

Besides being at the wheel of a Toleman, Lotus, McLaren or Williams, he also spent some time in a number of Honda models like the EF Civic and the NSX.


What is your favourite Ayrton Senna moment and why? Email us here.

He shared an on-track rivalry with Alain Prost and won the Formula 1 Driver's Championship on three occasions in 1988, 1990 and 1991.

Lewis Hamilton might currently be the talk of the town in Formula 1 as the best driver of modern times but no one will replace the Brazilian's long-standing legacy in the world of Motorsports.

READ | Remembering Ayrton Senna: Simply the best

Here is a selection of non-F1 footage featuring the Brazilian legend:

This race, for a promotional event, took place in 1989 as the F1 great got behind the wheel of an EF-bodied Honda Civic. The cars made use of Honda's famous VTEC engines and who better to test the machine than the Honda-man himself.

The touring cars were to take part in the N1 Japanese Touring Car Championship.


The Suzuka circuit in Japan became Senna's playground over the years and in one of them he drove the Honda NSX-R around the famous track in front of media.

As cool as you like, Senna got behind the wheel dressed in formal clothing, white socks, loafers, and no helmet.

This here is the Brazilian driver going back to his roots in a go-kart a year before his death in 1993. The video was shot in Japan. He got his first go-kart when he was four years-old, which his father had built for him.

He also has a go-kart track named after him - Kartódromo Ayrton Senna.

A few weeks before his death, Ayrton Senna signed an agreement with his family's company, Senna Import, and Audi that would enable Brazil to import the German vehicles from March 1994.

The video shows Senna behind the wheel of an Audi S4.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE