Six out of 10 ain't bad
The stories of Ayrton Senna in Monaco
More than any other driver, Ayrton Senna made Monaco his own. Six incredible victories - an achievement that has stood for 25 years – tells its own story, but it wasn't merely the winning drives that helped establish the Senna legend.
The formidable runner-up spot on his Monte-Carlo debut, the bitter disappointment following the crash that yielded the win to team-mate Alain Prost, and the calm assurance with which he held Nigel Mansell at bay all embellish the great Brazilian's position as F1's greatest driver.
Here, we dive into each of Ayrton's 10 Monaco Grands Prix to establish the facts and achievements about each performance...
1984
The race at which the Senna legend was born: fighting bravely through the rain in his unwieldy Toleman, he looked set the assume the lead when the race was (controversially) red-flagged.
Car: Toleman TG184
Grid: 13th
Race: 2nd
1985
In his evocative black and gold Lotus, Senna led from pole for the first dozen laps, but was stymied by an engine problem, which put him out of the race.
Car: Lotus 97T
Grid: 1st
Race: Ret – 13 laps, engine
1986
If Senna was on-form, his Lotus this year was no match for the two McLarens driven by victor Alain Prost and team-mate Keke Rosberg. Senna was best of the rest, finishing third.
Car: Lotus 98T
Grid: 3rd
Race: 3rd
1987
Senna’s first Monaco victory – a race he commanded after pole-sitter Nigel Mansell retired with turbo failure. This was also the first grand prix win for a car fitted with active suspension.
Car: Lotus 98T
Grid: 2nd
Race: 1st
1988
A weekend of huge drama: on Saturday, Ayrton nailed an awesome pole lap, then on Sunday he binned it while running effortlessly at the front. Both were formative experiences in his career.
Car: McLaren MP4/4
Grid: 1st
Race: Ret – 66 laps, accident
1989
Senna dominated the race, even managing to disguise his pace to protect from chasing team-mate Alain Prost after losing first and second gear in the closing laps.
Car: McLaren MP4/5
Grid: 1st
Race: 1st
1990
An effortless Grand Chelem (pole, lights-to-flag victory and fastest lap) for the Brazilian, who nailed his third win around the streets of the principality.
Car: McLaren MP4/5B
Grid: 1st
Race: 1st
1991
Another easy win for Senna, who had the experience and machinery to control the race from the front, finishing 18 seconds ahead of Nigel Mansell.
Car: McLaren MP4/6
Grid: 1st
Race: 1st
1992
Senna was unable to stem the Williams-Renaults in qualifying, but satisfyingly turned the tables in the race, profiting from Mansell’s late pit-stop to assume the lead in the dramatic closing laps.
Car: McLaren MP4/7
Grid: 3rd
Race: 1st
1993
In his last appearance at the principality, Senna’s sixth victory moved him ahead of ‘Mr Monaco’ Graham Hill, who won in 1963, 64, 65, 68 and 69.
Car: McLaren MP4-8
Grid: 3rd
Race: 1st
1994
The 1994 edition of the race was the first to be held following Senna and Roland Ratzenberger’s deaths during the San Marino Grand Prix. As a result, all the drivers assembled on the grid to pay their respects before the start of the Monaco Grand Prix.
