Ayrton Senna Multiple Choice Quiz | F1 Drivers

Answer: 21 March 1960

He was born Ayrton Senna da Silva in Sao Paulo, Brazil, second child to Milton and Neide. He was diagnosed with a motor co-ordination problem at an early age, and his father, who owned a car components company, gave 4-year old Ayrton a kart to help him overcome this problem. It was the start to a great future.

Answer: Thruxton

Martin Brundle and Ayrton began the year as preseason favourites, and it was only at the final race at Thruxton that Ayrton clinched the championship. Ayrton began his F1 career with Toleman the next year.

Answer: South Africa

In Ayrton's second F1 race he came 6th, scoring 1 point, in his Toleman number 19.

Answer: Nigel Mansell

This was one of the closest finishes in Formula One history. Unfortunately, Ayrton's World Championship lead did not last for long as he was forced to retire several times that year due to mechanical failures. Prost, Piquet, and Mansell had a close season with Alain Prost eventually taking the title.

Answer: 1988

Gerhard Berger, driving for Ferrari, won the race at Imola after Alain Prost retired due to engine failure and Ayrton Senna crashed out of the race.

Answer: Suzuka

With a few laps left of the race, Ayrton attempted to overtake Prost at a chicane and crashed into him. Race marshals managed to restart Ayrton's car and he went on to win the race. He was later disqualified thereby handing the World Championship title to Alain Prost.

In an interview, Ayrton declared that he "was robbed by the system" prompting then FISA president, Jean-Marie Balestre, to impose a fine and suspend Ayrton's license. Ayrton had to pay the fine and apologise to the heads of FISA in order to regain his license.

Answer: Eddie Irvine

In his debut race, Eddie Irvine, who had already been lapped, saw Ayrton coming up behind him, and instead of letting him pass, made Ayrton pass as if they were racing for the position. After the race, infuriated Ayrton approached Eddie in the Jordan motorhome, had words with him, and then proceeded to punch Eddie in the face.

Answer: The Rain Man

Ayrton's performance at Donington Park in 1993 in wet weather conditions is often cited as one of the sport's greatest moments referred to as, "The Drive of the Century". Driving in a McLaren considered to be inferior to the Williams cars of Prost and Hill, Ayrton started in 4th position, dropping down to 5th at the first corner and racing his way to 1st by the end of the 1st lap.

He went on to win the race.

Answer: 1 May 1994

On the 7th lap of the race, Ayrton's car left the track at high speed on the Tamburello corner and crashed into the wall. The reason for the crash is highly controversial but thought to be due to the suspension failing on his Williams. A piece of the suspension broke off and pierced Ayrton's helmet and fractured his skull.

He was airlifted to hospital and pronounced dead later that evening. Ironically, on the morning of the race, the drivers had talked about better driver safety, and Ayrton had offered to lead this campaign.

Answer: Austria

Roland Ratzenberger, an Austrian, was killed during the practice session the day before Ayrton died. He had carried the flag to commemmorate his fellow driver's death on completion of the race. Ayrton was very distraught over Roland's death and had asked for the race to be cancelled after the tragic accident at the practice session. Sadly for the sport and Ayrton's fans, the race was not cancelled and Ayrton lost his life during the race.