Thirty years after Ayrton Senna’s legendary victory at the 1993 European Grand Prix, Bruno Senna, nephew of Ayrton, commemorated this iconic moment by driving a McLaren Senna hypercar at Donington Park, Leicestershire. This tribute paid homage to what is widely regarded as one of the greatest laps in Formula 1 history.
Ayrton Senna’s drive during the 1993 European Grand Prix, especially his extraordinary opening lap, known as the ‘Lap of the Gods,’ remains a pinnacle in motorsport history. Starting from fifth, Ayrton maneuvered through wet conditions with unparalleled skill, moving to first place by the end of the first lap. His dominant performance led to a victory margin of over one minute and 23 seconds, and he lapped all but the second-place finisher, setting a lap record of 1:18.029 that still stands as the fastest Formula 1 race time at Donington Park.
In a fitting tribute, Bruno Senna drove the McLaren Senna, the most extreme road-going McLaren and the most track-oriented of the Ultimate series cars, on the same Donington GP circuit. Produced in limited numbers from 2018 to 2019, the McLaren Senna epitomizes the dedication to performance that Ayrton Senna exemplified throughout his career.
Bruno’s drive not only celebrated Ayrton’s legacy but also made history. He set a new unofficial lap record for a road-going production car, completing the circuit in 1 minute and 30.5 seconds. This remarkable achievement adds another chapter to the Senna legacy at Donington Park.
Reflecting on Ayrton’s legendary performance, Bruno shared, “Ayrton, on that first lap at Donington Park in 1993, was on another planet, in another dimension compared to all the other elite drivers. It was an incredible achievement to drive so spectacularly in such difficult conditions against more competitive cars. For me, it’s a race that you cannot forget.”
Bruno’s words capture the essence of Ayrton’s drive, which was characterized by his instinctive driving skills and relentless pursuit of perfection. Ayrton’s ability to extract the maximum from his car in any condition inspired the creation of the McLaren Senna hypercar.
The McLaren Senna boasts a lightest dry weight of 1,198kg, thanks to its carbon fiber Monocage III chassis and body panels. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine delivers 800PS, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 668PS-per-tonne. The car’s extreme aerodynamic package, with active elements front and rear, generates up to 800kg of downforce, and its motorsport-derived brakes provide unmatched stopping power, braking from 200km/h to standstill in just 100 meters.
Michael Leiters, CEO of McLaren Automotive, remarked, “Ayrton was a master of incredible performances created through sheer dedication to his craft, always seeking perfection. This tenacious drive made him a perfect fit for McLaren, where this ethos endures in everything we do on the road and on track. Creating a new piece of history linking Senna to Donington, with his nephew Bruno in the car named after and inspired by Ayrton’s legacy, is a special moment.”
For those interested in exploring more about the McLaren Senna, which was also available in GTR and GTR LM versions, additional information can be found at McLaren Senna.
