Ayrton Senna, the Formula 1 world champion, arrives in Oxfordshire in his British Aerospace HS125. Despite the bleak sky, Senna’s presence is difficult to miss with his plain white Reeboks and red McLaren bomber jacket. He talks to Honda PR man about flying helicopters and impresses a young boy named Jack. Senna then heads to the airport building to talk to customs and immigration before getting in his Honda NSX.
While driving through Oxford’s ring road, Senna gets stuck in a traffic jam, giving an opportunity for a chat. Senna expresses his love for driving, especially sportive cars that are not too soft or slow. He praises the Honda NSX for its balance of power and drivability, stating that it’s not the most powerful sports car but has enough power to enjoy on the roads without becoming a danger to others.
Later, Senna arrives at Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and enjoys a quiet dinner with his father. The next morning, Senna wakes up early, exercises, runs, and eats breakfast before heading to Silverstone for engine testing. He discusses the need for more power from the Honda engine and the changes required to compete with Williams and Ferrari.
During a break for lunch at the Marlboro McLaren motorhome, journalists approach Senna for his views on various subjects. He talks about the new layout of the Silverstone circuit and the challenges it presents. He also acknowledges McLaren’s recent struggles and Honda’s commitment to improving engine performance.
In the afternoon, Senna takes Autocar’s road testers on a thrilling ride around the wet Silverstone circuit in the Honda NSX. The deputy road test editor, Andrew Frankel, recounts their experience as Senna skillfully controls the car through corners at high speeds. Frankel is left awestruck by Senna’s mastery of the car and his ability to push it to its limits.
Senna shares his thoughts on the new circuit, noting its improvements for safety but also its bumpiness. He expresses his love for the NSX and his preference for a manual gearbox over an automatic transmission in this car. They continue their laps, with Senna impressing Frankel at every turn.
After their exhilarating experience, Senna and Frankel head towards London in separate cars. Senna’s Honda Legend is pulled over for speeding, and he is let off with a caution. Despite the incident, Senna’s skill and passion for driving leave a lasting impression on Frankel.
The article concludes with a list of used Honda NSX cars for sale, inviting readers to subscribe to Autocar magazine for more car-related content.