Celebrating Ayrton Senna’s Legacy at the Silverstone Festival
Ayrton Senna, one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, had a special connection with the United Kingdom. He began his racing career in Britain, racing for British teams such as Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, and Williams. It was during his time in the UK that he achieved remarkable success at the Silverstone circuit. In fact, Senna won more races at Silverstone than at any other circuit in his career.
This year, as we commemorate the 30th anniversary of Senna’s tragic death, the Silverstone Festival is hosting a special event to celebrate his legacy. The festival promises to showcase the largest collection of Senna-related cars ever assembled. Bianca Senna, Ayrton’s niece and CEO of Senna Brands, expressed her excitement about the event, stating that “Ayrton always had a very strong connection with Silverstone.” She believes that this tribute will move fans worldwide.
The Silverstone Festival is not only a gathering of historic motorsport enthusiasts but also a multi-faceted event. It features packed grids of single-seaters, sports cars, and saloons from various eras, competing in more than 20 races across three days on the iconic Grand Prix circuit. Additionally, the festival offers classic car displays, a food festival, and live performances by renowned artists such as Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Busted, and Olly Murs.
While the festival caters to a diverse audience, there is no doubt that Senna will be the main attraction. Earlier this year, he was honored with an on-track demonstration at the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, and emotional tributes were paid to him at Imola during the Emilia-Romagna GP. The Silverstone gathering will serve as the grand finale of a summer filled with remembrance, focusing on Senna’s contributions to the world of motorsport.
The festival will showcase the cars that played a significant role in Senna’s career. From his early days in Formula Ford and Formula 3 to his time in Formula 1, a wide range of vehicles will be on display. The lineup includes the Van Diemen and Ralt cars from his Formula Ford and Formula 3 days, as well as the Toleman and Williams F1 cars that he drove in the 1980s. McLaren and Lotus cars from the mid-1980s will also be featured.
In addition to the well-known Formula 1 cars, the festival will exhibit some lesser-known vehicles that Senna had a connection with. These include the Metro 6R4 and Sierra RS500, which he tested for a magazine feature, and one of the Honda NSXs that he helped develop.
For visitors looking to delve deeper into Senna’s legacy, the Silverstone Museum will be a must-visit. The museum, located at the circuit’s front gate, will feature an array of Senna memorabilia. Notably, Classic Team Lotus will display the trophies, gloves, and steering wheel from Senna’s first F1 win at Estoril in 1985. The iconic car from that race, the 97T chassis #2, will also be part of the festival’s lineup.
While Senna had a complex relationship with the British crowd, his association with Silverstone holds a special place in history. The festival provides an opportunity to celebrate both the light and dark sides of the Senna mystique. It is a time to smile and remember the incredible impact he had on the world of motorsport.