McLaren’s Formula 1 cars will carry a permanent Ayrton Senna tribute starting from the Monaco Grand Prix, something Williams stopped doing ahead of the 2022 season.
Three-time world champion Senna won all of his F1 titles with McLaren and scored five consecutive victories in Monaco with the team from 1989 to 1993.
Senna moved to Williams for the 1994 season but lost his life in a crash at Imola. Later that year his sister Vivianne founded the Instituto Ayrton Senna in his memory, a foundation dedicated to helping young people in his native Brazil.
For the 1995 season Williams adopted a ‘Senna S’ logo in tribute and that remained on its cars until this season.
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Williams CEO Jost Capito, who heads the team in the Dorilton Capital era that began in late 2020 when the Williams family sold the team and left, said earlier this year that the intention was to change the way Williams honoured Senna.
He said he did not want the logo on the car as a reminder to the current drivers of what happened and instead Williams refurbished its museum that includes a special Senna tribute.
Ahead of the Monaco GP, McLaren announced it has decided to adopt a permanent Senna tribute on its cars.
His name and the Senna S will be carried at the base of the front fairing on the halo.
We are honoured to carry the @AyrtonSenna name from the #MonacoGP onwards.
His bravery, commitment and ingenuity continue to set the standard for our team to this day. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/mD9aHtva9n
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 27, 2022
“Ayrton Senna is, and always will be, a McLaren legend,” said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown.
“His performances with McLaren, which earned him three drivers’ world championships, cemented his place as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers.
“When he tragically passed in 1994, the entire motorsport world felt a sense of irreplaceable loss, but his memory lives on in the hearts and minds of Formula 1 fans across the world.
“We feel it’s right that we, as McLaren, should recognise his contribution to our sport by carrying his name with us wherever we go racing.
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“Starting from the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix, the McLaren MCL36 will carry the Senna logo, marking our commitment to celebrate his legacy.
“I can’t think of a better race than the Monaco Grand Prix to commence this recognition of Ayrton’s life.
“Having won the grand prix six times, more than any other driver, Ayrton proved that his skill and ability behind the wheel of an F1 car could rarely be matched.
“This addition to our F1 race cars will be permanent, and has been added with the support of the Senna family.
“It will serve as a constant reminder of Ayrton Senna’s sensational talent for us as a team, and for all our fans around the world.”