There are some things you associate with each other in Formula 1, and one of them is the Monaco Grand Prix and Ayrton Senna.
The Brazilian had a prolific career, but Monaco was where he showed his skill and cemented his name among Formula 1’s list of all-time great drivers.
The three-time champion still holds records that remain unbroken 30 years later, including most wins (6) and podiums (8).
Senna’s story at Monaco began in 1984 when he braved the incredibly wet conditions and secured a podium and fastest lap in a Toleman. Over the years, Senna would write some of his best career stories around the principality.
1987 – Ayrton Senna wins first Monaco Grand Prix
Senna secured his first pole around Monaco in 1985 but could not convert it into a win, then in 1986 he finished runner-up to Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost.
In 1987, he was far from the favourite to win after Mansell claimed pole and led the race comfortably from the start. Mansell would encounter problems with his Williams 29 laps into the race, enabling Senna to power through into the lead in his Lotus.
Senna would dominate the next 49 laps of the race and take his first win around the principality. The elated Brazilian would end up breaking the podium protocol by drenching Prince Rainier in champagne.
1988 – Ayrton Senna crashes while leading Monaco Grand Prix
By the 1988 season, Senna had joined McLaren and was in a fierce battle with teammate Alain Prost for the title. He outqualified Prost by 1.4 seconds, with it looking like the Brazilian would race off into the distance.
With an over 50-second lead during the race, Senna looked in control with 11 laps remaining. That is, until he reached Portier corner.
After being told by his McLaren team to slow down, Senna made a mistake and crashed exiting the corner before the tunnel. He walked away from the minor crash, but it was enough to put him out of the race.
A distraught Senna would walk back to his Monaco apartment without returning to the pit boxes, while his official timing sheet would later read “crashed at Portier” at McLaren.
1990 – Ayrton Senna achieves Grand Slam at Monaco
Winning around Monaco is already an incredible feat, but Senna took it further with his victory in 1990.
Having secured pole position on the Saturday, Senna would go on to lead every lap and set the fastest lap of the race on the way to the win on Sunday.
Senna was a bit more cautious this time around the principality after what happened in 1988, finishing 1.08s ahead of Frenchman Jean Alesi.
1992 – Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna’s epic Monaco battle
One of the greatest duels in F1 happened in 1992 between Senna and Mansell around the streets of Monaco.
Williams was dominating F1 with their advances made in car development, leading to Mansell taking pole by 1.1 seconds from Senna in qualifying.
Senna worked his magic again in the race and took second from Riccardo Patrese, but the Brazilian struggled to catch the Williams driver. It would come down to luck for Senna, when a loose wheel nut would force Mansell to pit.
On fresher tyres, it should have been an easy win for Mansell. But Monaco would live up to its reputation for being a tough track to make an overtake, with Senna making his McLaren as wide as possible when fending off the Briton in the final laps.
Senna took his fifth win and equalled the record set by Graham Hill in 1969.
1993 – Ayrton Senna makes history at Monaco
The Brazilian would earn his ‘King of Monaco’ title with a historic sixth victory around the principality in 1993.
Senna started from third again behind Prost and Michael Schumacher on pole. Prost was handed a penalty for a jump start, giving Senna second place.
Everything was going well for Schumacher until he suffered an engine blowout 33 laps into the race, enabling Senna to take the lead and win the race. It was an impressive victory considering Senna had injured his hand in practice on Thursday.
