Torque Talk - The Speed of Light

True to form, on a cold and wet April day at Estoril in 1985, in his 17th Grand Prix and second ever race behind the wheel of the Lotus 97T, Senna won his first ever Formula One GP. Leading from the word go, he claimed the fastest race lap as well as dry pole position. With his legend growing race-by-race it was no surprise when Senna went on to win the 1988, 1990 and 1991 F1 World Championships for McLaren.

Ayrton Senna’s tragic death at Imola in May 1994 occurred just over 10 years after his spectacular Monaco win whilst leading the San Marino Grand Prix in a Williams. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most talented F1 drivers of all time, Senna also left behind the accolade of being the youngest ever three times F1 World Champion.

Fast-forward to June 2018, and we are at a thankfully warm and sunny Estoril to drive the latest McLaren supercar, unashamedly named Senna in honour of the man who brought those three F1 World Championship trophies home to Woking.

It is no surprise that the total production of 500 cars, to be delivered by next July, sold out within days at a list price of £750,000 in the UK. However, avid gamers will be happy to note they will be able to ‘test drive’ the Senna in the soon to be released Forza Horizon 4!

Bending the laws of physics is not a description of what the Senna does best. Rather, McLaren has taken the rules and applies them to best effect, and on the bald limit at Estoril it is very clear that their engineers have mastered these rules better than any rival.

Text by McLaren Senna