At the start of his career, Ayrton Senna was not a specialist on wet tracks, contrary to what many people think. It was precisely because of the difficulty in his first kart race in the rain, where he ended up losing because he couldn’t control the car, that the driver was persistent, going to train whenever it started to rain, showing from a young age his determination to push his limits.
When the first drops of rain began to fall, Ayrton would prepare his equipment and set off for the Interlagos Kart Track, which is named in his honor. From there on, Senna became a reference in racing in the rain and, with 13 epic triumphs in adverse conditions, was named the King of the Rain.
When he was still a rookie for the modest Toleman team, in his first race on the Monaco circuit in 1984 in the rain, Senna had already secured his place on the podium.
His first win came with Lotus a year later, also under a deluge in Portugal. The race in Estoril was only the first of Ayrton Senna’s great victories in the rain.
Even if, by logic, everyone thought that Ayrton enjoyed to race on wet tracks, he preferred to drive in normal conditions. But of course, he used this talent to take advantage when his car was no match for his opponents – after all, a race on slippery asphalt would level the playing field.
racing in the rain
21
races in the rain
13
wins
1984
first podium in the rain
4
overtakes on the first lap
Victories in the rain
1985
Portuguese GP
Ayrton Senna’s first Formula 1 victory was in the rain with a total triumph.
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1985
Belgian GP
Senna takes second Formula 1 win under the rain at Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
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1988
British GP
The first win on German soil came on a wet track with an amazing triumph from start to finish.
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1988
Japanese GP
In a thrilling race in the rain, Senna makes an incredible recovery and becomes world champion
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1989
Belgian gp
Senna left his rival Alain Prost behind in a victory from start to finish and secured the triumph in the rain.
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1990
canadian gp
Senna took the lead over Piquet to secure the victory under the rain at the Canadian Grand Prix.
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1991
brazilian gp
Senna performs brilliantly under the rain in a memorable race to secure his first win on Brazilian soil.
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1991
san marino gp
With McLarens in the lead, Senna leaves Ferrari behind and wins in the rain at San Marino.
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1991
australian gp
Even with the championship title, Senna won from start to finish under the rain at the Australian Grand Prix.
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1993
brazilian gp
In rainy weather, Senna leaves the powerful Williams behind to ensure a spectacle in Brazil.
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1993
european gp
Senna raced brilliantly under the rain at Donington Park and performed the best lap in Formula 1 history.
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1993
japanese gp
In his 40th Formula 1 win, Senna triumphs for McLaren in Suzuka on a rainy day.
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