Senna - the Driver

By Timothy Hadleigh

A refreshingly different, short book on Brazilian ace Ayrton Senna in which the author examines Senna's driving techniques to establish why he was so exceptional. A must-read for all Formula One fans 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Timothy Hadleigh
• Release date: Nov 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223772507

Book preview

Published by Timothy Hadleigh

Senna – The Driver

By Timothy Hadleigh

Copyright © Timothy Hadleigh 2022

Cover illustration and interior art by Timothy Hadleigh

The contents of this book are the sole property and Copyright of Timothy Hadleigh and may not be copied reproduced transcribed or performed in any medium in whole or part and in any language without the written consent of Timothy Hadleigh

Forward

It was the night before first practice at the Monaco Grand Prix. The streets were still open to public vehicles.

My friend was in town for the race and, as he wandered down towards what would be Mirabeau corner, he noticed two young men at the roadside. While one stood at the kerb, clearly watching for traffic, the other kept darting out to the middle of the road, crouching down, running the palm of his hands over the road surface.

What’s your mate doing? my friend enquired.

He’s our new driver. He’s feeling the cambers and contours of the track came the reply.

Contents:

Foreword

Introduction

Extra Dimension

Driven

Racing Lines

Rainmaster

The German Grand Prix

Spinout

Suzuka

Red Line

Fancy Footwork

Introduction

Of the fifty plus years that I have been an avid fan, spectator and through my involvement in motor racing, there has been one very special individual who has made all the effort of travelling to circuits and standing in the rain or scorching in the sun while watching, all seem worthwhile. His sheer brilliance at driving a car on the limit, his race craft and his desire to win have touched so many peoples’ lives and even inspired other drivers. I write of Brazilian ace, Ayrton Senna.

I think I have now seen at least four documentaries on Senna and also read a couple of books. Sadly, in all cases it seems that these television producers, film makers and authors have no idea about the real subject matter, that of driving a race car. Instead, they focus on the countless race victories, championship battles, controversial incidents, Formula One politics and the eventual tragedy. In so doing they overlook, or simply don’t understand, what it actually was that set him apart.

Through these pages I hope to convey to you what Ayrton Senna da Silva was really about. Driving!

Extra Dimension

I have always been totally astonished at the attitude of about 90% of racing drivers who simply get in the car and drive as fast as possible, as if that is the best and most thought-out plan. It’s a common philosophy shared by many that if