Gone too soon. When in Formula 1 we say ‘what could have been’, Lewis Hamilton‘s hero Ayrton Senna‘s name pops up. The Brazilian racing driver was perhaps the best this sport could ever see. Hamilton has often stated that his hero would have broken the glass ceiling multiple times had he been around, but alas, fate had something else planned. However, the latest revelation by an ex-F1 team boss may make us sadder as he reveals Senna’s dream, which probably was on the verge of fulfillment.
Ayrton Senna shuffled between McLaren and Williams. While he claimed three titles at McLaren, William’s move couldn’t ever be completely realized as the icon lost his life at the San Marino GP the very year he moved to the British outfit. However, this move was not it, as Eddie Jordan reveals that Senna was in talks with him before the unfortunate demise.
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Talking to David Coulthard for Formula For Success Podcast, Jordan revealed, “He was disillusioned at McLaren. It was before he went to Williams—he just wasn’t happy. And believe this or not, I offered him 50% free of charge to come and drive for Jordan, but he would have to stay on as an owner. Because I believed with Senna in the team, the actual value of the team would be worth more than double.”
“So that was like half that I was losing. I thought this would be such a cool stroke. I am getting a guy like Senna in my car—sponsorship would multiply–sadly he died. I am not saying he would have done it, but I am saying we were too far in the negotiation—he wanted to have a team and I was giving him that opportunity.”
While this revelation can only make us go down memory lane thinking how that move would have affected Senna’s $200 Million legacy, his old friend and rival went down the same lane as well.
Alain Prost reveals how Ayrton Senna felt lost without him
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Alain Prost took the responsibility of shaping one of the most iconic careers in Formula 1 history. Prost’s battles with Ayrton Senna, who joined McLaren in 1988, were iconic. Their synergy as teammates was something that history will always remember as the duo fought each other tooth and nail to claim the title. In 1994, Senna finally got an opportunity to drive for Williams. But was it a happy one?
As quoted by Motorsport.nextgen-auto, Alain Prost, at the headquarters of the French sports daily L’Équipe relived his rivalry days with Senna, “There was so much communication with Ayrton the day after my retirement. I felt that he was not well. He called me often. Sometimes twice a week. He never called me as long as I was still in the race. He had, without me, lost his bearings. I was undoubtedly his source of motivation. We both lived an incredible human and psychological story. We have to stay on the beautiful memories.”
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Which is your favorite memory of Ayrton Senna?