5 best races of Ayrton Senna

European Grand Prix, 1993

Held that year at UK circuit Donington Park, the European Grand Prix is regarded as one of Senna’s grandest displays of skill. The Brazilian did not even qualify on the front row, finishing the session in 4th with longtime rival Alain Prost in pole position. The opening lap of the race is considered to be the greatest lap ever in F1 by many, the race itself alternated between wet and dry, with unreliable English weather throwing a spanner in teams’ tyre strategy.

Prost, in front and followed by Williams teammate Damon Hill, were given chase by Michael Schumacher in his Benetton-Ford, and Senna, blocked by Schumacher, dropped further down the grid.

He took a march on Schumacher, Karl Wendlinger and then proceeded to go after the Williams drivers in the lead, catching them out too to go up front – with his battle with Prost especially notable.

Senna would end up losing 20 seconds and the lead further into the race – but it was extremely quick tyre strategy and adapting to quickly-changing conditions that gave the Brazilian the lead again.

His racing and tyre strategy were so effective that he made only 4 stops to the seven of Alain Prost, who finished in second behind him.