Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Senna began competitive kart racing at age 13. His first go-kart was built by his father using a lawnmower engine. After twice finishing runner-up at the Karting World Championship, Senna progressed to Formula Ford in 1981, dominating the British and European championships in his debut seasons. He then won the 1983 British Formula Three Championship amidst a close title battle with Martin Brundle, further winning the Macau Grand Prix that year. Senna was managed for most of his junior career by Armando Teixeira.
Senna signed for Toleman in 1984, making his Formula One debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix. He scored his first World Championship point by finishing sixth in his second race at the South African Grand Prix. His best result of the season came at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he finished second. Senna took two more podium finishes that season, placing third at the British and Portuguese Grands Prix, and placed ninth in the Drivers' Championship with 13 points overall.
After scoring several podium finishes in his rookie season, Senna moved to Lotus in 1985 to replace Nigel Mansell, taking his maiden pole position and victory at the rain-affected Portuguese Grand Prix, a feat he repeated in Belgium. He remained at Lotus for his 1986 and 1987 campaigns, scoring multiple wins in each and finishing third in the latter World Drivers' Championship. Senna was once more the top qualifier with eight poles in 1986, with a further six podium finishes, including another win at the Detroit Grand Prix.
Senna signed for McLaren in 1988 to partner Alain Prost; together, they won 15 of 16 Grands Prix held that season—driving the Honda-powered MP4/4—with Senna taking his maiden championship by three points after winning a then-record eight Grands Prix. Their fierce rivalry culminated in title-deciding collisions at Suzuka in 1989 and 1990, despite Prost's move to Ferrari in the latter, with Prost winning the former title and Senna taking the following. Senna took seven victories, including his home Grand Prix in Brazil, as he secured his third title in 1991.
The dominant Williams-Renault combination prevailed throughout his remaining two seasons at McLaren, with Senna achieving several race wins in each, including his record-breaking sixth Monaco Grand Prix victory in 1993 on his way to again finishing runner-up to Prost in the championship. Senna negotiated a move to Williams for his 1994 campaign, replacing the retired Prost to partner Damon Hill.
During the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Senna was killed in a crash whilst leading the race, driving the Williams FW16. His state funeral was attended by over a million people. Following subsequent safety reforms, he was the last fatality in the Formula One World Championship until Jules Bianchi in 2014. Senna achieved 41 wins, 65 pole positions, 19 fastest laps and 80 podiums in Formula One. He was also widely acclaimed for his wet-weather performances, such as at the 1984 Monaco, 1985 Portuguese and 1993 European Grands Prix. Senna was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2000 and into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2025.
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