With the arrival of the Miami Grand Prix, which will have its first edition scheduled for next Sunday (8), Formula 1 will return to race on a street circuit in the United States after a 31-year hiatus. Until then, there were 21 races on this type of track, the last one in 1991, in Phoenix, where Ayrton Senna won. The three-time world champion is the biggest winner on urban tracks in the land of Uncle Sam, with no less than five wins.
Before talking specifically about Senna, it is necessary to remember that of the 11 circuits that Formula 1 has raced in the United States so far, with the exception of Miami, no less than five were urban tracks: Long Beach, Las Vegas, Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix. Of these, only Long Beach is still in use today, but not in F1, but in IndyCar.
During his 11 seasons in the top category of world motor sports, Ayrton Senna had the chance to drive at only three of these circuits: Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix, which makes his figures even more impressive. The Brazilian driver took part in nine of these races, winning five of them, a success rate above 50%.
In five appearances at the Detroit GP, Senna won three times, in 1986, 1987 and 1988. In Phoenix, he won twice, in 1990 and 1991, besides a pole position in 1989. In both cases, the driver was the biggest winner at these tracks. In Dallas, there was only one race, in 1984, when the gearbox of Ayrton’s Toleman broke on the 47th lap.
Check below the list of drivers who have won F1 Grand Prix on street circuits in the United States:
5 wins
Ayrton Senna
2 wins:
Alan Jones
John Watson
Michele Alboreto
Nelson Piquet
Keke Rosberg
1 win
Clay Regazzoni
Mario Andretti
Carlos Reutemann
Gilles Villeneuve
Niki Lauda
Alain Prost
