Few rivalries in Method 1 historical past have matched the depth of the battles between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
All through the Eighties and early Nineties, Method 1 was brimming with distinctive expertise, however Senna and Prost stood head and shoulders above the remainder. Collectively, they claimed seven world championships and engaged in relentless fights for dominance 12 months after 12 months.
Prost secured his first championship in 1985, only one 12 months after Ayrton Senna entered the game with Toleman and started showcasing his outstanding expertise. By the point Ayrton Senna moved to McLaren in 1988, he had already solidified his repute as a grasp of Monaco. That very same 12 months, the Brazilian clinched his first title, narrowly defeating Alain Prost by three factors in one of many sport’s most fiercely contested seasons.
For the next two years, their rivalry intensified. As teammates at McLaren in 1989, the duo’s relationship reached a boiling level through the Japanese Grand Prix. A controversial collision between them led to Senna’s disqualification, finally handing the title to Prost. The next season, the feud escalated after they clashed once more at Suzuka. This time, Alain Prost, now driving for Ferrari, discovered himself on the shedding finish as Senna’s victory secured him the championship.
Behind the scenes, Ferrari’s administration had begun exploring the concept of bringing Senna into the fold. In a 2020 interview with *Corriere della Sera*, Piero Fusaro, Ferrari’s president on the time, revealed simply how shut the Scuderia got here to signing the Brazilian for the 1991 season. Nevertheless, Prost intervened to stop the reunion of two of probably the most dominant forces in Method 1.
Alain Prost blocks Ayrton Senna’s Ferrari transfer for the 1991 season
Ferrari’s sporting director Cesare Fiorio initiated discussions with Senna early in 1990, testing the waters to see if the Brazilian was open to becoming a member of the group. By mid-season, after Alain Prost’s victory on the French Grand Prix, a draft contract to convey Senna onboard was already on the desk of Ferrari’s senior administration. The plan was to have Senna change Nigel Mansell, setting the stage for one of the vital formidable driver pairings in F1 historical past.
However Alain Prost, cautious of reigniting the poisonous rivalry that had outlined their McLaren years, used his affect throughout the group to halt the transfer. For the Frenchman, having two such aggressive personalities underneath one roof was a recipe for catastrophe, particularly at Ferrari, a group recognized for its political complexity. Consequently, the dream of seeing Ayrton Senna within the iconic purple automotive was dashed, leaving followers to ponder what may need been had the 2 legends shared the identical storage as soon as extra.
Regardless of Ferrari’s management by no means formally approving the deal, Fusaro recounted the sequence of occasions that led to the choice. He defined that whereas the contract was in his possession, Alain Prost, circumventing the same old channels, requested a personal assembly with Gianni Agnelli. Agnelli, after contemplating the request, granted the assembly.
Upon exiting the assembly, Prost made an official declaration, asserting that he had been confirmed for the 1991 season with Ferrari. Fusaro was taken without warning at this announcement. Out of respect for the corporate’s hierarchy, he felt it essential to seek the advice of with Cesare Romiti, an govt at Fiat, to find out the suitable plan of action concerning Senna’s contract. Fusaro realized that, with Prost’s affirmation, Senna’s potential signing was now not viable.
Fusaro then tried as soon as extra to influence Ferrari’s administration to proceed with their plan to safe Senna, regardless of Prost’s objections. He famous that his persistent efforts, which included making numerous arguments to help Senna’s contract, lasted for an prolonged interval however finally led to rejection. The choice to retain Prost was agency and couldn’t be contested, and this alternative, whether or not justified or not, was attributed to Gianni Agnelli, Fiat’s former head, who had formally endorsed the choice.
Ayrton Senna’s failure to safe a transfer to Ferrari in 1991 might have, in hindsight, been a lucky flip of occasions for his profession.
By the point the Japanese Grand Prix arrived, a race the place he famously collided with Prost to clinch his first world title, Senna possible knew he can be remaining at McLaren for an additional 12 months. It turned out to be the correct determination for him, even when the selection wasn’t totally his, as he went on to dominate the 1991 season. In the meantime, Prost, who was a formidable drive in F1, may solely handle a fifth-place end within the Drivers’ Championship.
Prost retired from the game on the finish of 1991, however he made a return to Method 1 in 1993 for one ultimate season, the place he added a fourth and ultimate championship to his illustrious profession. His departure from Ferrari in 1991 finally created a chance for Ayrton Senna, and the Brazilian regarded set to hitch the group in 1994. He began the 1994 season sturdy with three pole positions however was pressured to retire in every of the primary three races. Tragically, through the San Marino Grand Prix, the Brazilian’s life was taken in an accident that shook the motorsport world.
On the thirtieth anniversary of Senna’s demise, Prost paid tribute to his former rival, emphasizing the mutual respect they shared for one another’s extraordinary abilities. Nevertheless, within the early Nineties, Prost’s major concern was to keep away from one other intense intra-team rivalry with one in all F1’s most iconic drivers, fearing the battle that will come up from pairing with Senna at Ferrari.
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