CELEBRATING McLAREN’S ULTIMATE DRIVER
No one can match Ayrton Senna. His legendary performances continue to inspire our team at McLaren, his fellow racers and motorsport fans. On the 30-year anniversary of his passing, we pay tribute to the life and career of McLaren’s greatest driver. And celebrate everything that was exceptional about this racing great.
As part of our Senna30 celebrations, the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) team have created a beautiful, one-off McLaren Senna livery. Alive with bold energy that pays homage to Senna’s Brazilian roots, it features a host of poignant details plus several design elements never before seen on a McLaren. The theme incorporates vibrant colours inspired by Senna’s iconic racing helmet, alongside the subtle inclusion of symbolic numbers from his career. But perhaps the most significant detail is the quote inscribed within the cockpit – words from Senna himself that perfectly capture MSO’s approach to this remarkable livery…
Senna30 - Day Tripper
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Experience Bruno Senna Attacking the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit in the McLaren Senna Supercar
Join Bruno Senna as he celebrates his uncle Ayrton’s legacy with thrilling laps around the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit in the powerful McLaren Senna. Witness the remarkable performance of the 800PS supercar and feel the excitement of Ayrton Senna's six-time Monaco F1 victory.
Senna30 - Creating an icon
Seven years after it was first unveiled, we explore the legacy of the ground-breaking McLaren Senna hypercar with those who worked on the project.
Senna30 - Remembering the 'Lap of the Gods'
In an emotional tribute, Bruno Senna took to the historic Donington Park track in the McLaren Senna to honour his uncle’s unparalleled opening lap at the 1993 European Grand Prix – setting a new track record in the process.
Senna30 - Streets Ahead
The Senna30 celebrations continued at this year’s Monaco Historic Grand Prix, on the streets where the Brazilian gave some of his greatest performances at the wheel of a McLaren.
Senna 30 - True Colours
McLaren pays tribute to Ayrton Senna with two unique liveries at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix.
Senna 30 - From Track to Road
Chief Design Officer Tobias Sühlmann on why Senna and his greatest cars have such a powerful and enduring influence on McLaren design.
Senna 30 - The Unbreakable Bond
Thirty years on, the legacy of Ayrton Senna is still felt at McLaren Automotive
As part of our Senna30 celebrations, the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) team have created a beautiful, one-off McLaren Senna livery. With a host of poignant details, it serves as a striking expression of Senna’s personality – featuring several design elements never before seen on a McLaren. The theme includes vibrant colours inspired by Senna’s iconic racing helmet, alongside the subtle inclusion of symbolic numbers from his career. But perhaps the most significant detail is the quote inscribed within the cockpit – words from Ayrton Senna himself that perfectly capture MSO’s approach to this remarkable livery…
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1973 - Ayrton wins his first official go-kart race at Interlagos, aged just 13. Photographer Credit Foto Família
1988 - Senna secured pole position in the McLaren MP4/4 at Monaco Photographer Credit Norio Koike
1988 - Ayrton surged on through the rain to win by 23 seconds at the British Grand Prix. Photographer Credit Norio Koike
1990 - Ayrton secured the 50th pole position of his career at the Spanish Grand Prix. Photographer Credit Norio Koike
1991 - Ayrton won his first Brazilian Grand Prix. Photographer Credit Norio Koike
1991 - Ayrton dominated his way to a fourth victory in 1991. Photographer Credit Norio Koike
1993 - Ayrton's final race with McLaren, victory at the Australian Grand Prix. Photographer Credit Norio Koike
Bruno Senna recreates his uncle Ayrton Senna’s iconic opening lap of the 1993 European Grand Prix at Donington Park with a McLaren Senna
Many of Ayrton's finest moments were behind the wheel of a McLaren F1 car – including his three World Championships. It is a connection that lives on today in every supercar and hypercar we produce.
Created in his honour, the McLaren Senna and the McLaren Senna GTR hypercars remain the only vehicles to bear the name of a McLaren driver.
Is the McLaren Senna named after Ayrton Senna?
Yes – the car was created to epitomise his drive, determination and unique talent.
He was a deeply committed, fearless racing driver – and every last element of the McLaren Senna was designed and engineered to make it a raw, uncompromised road-legal track car.
Why is the McLaren Senna named Senna?
Because it exemplifies his personality and his unflinching focus on pushing beyond the limits.
Is the McLaren Senna a hypercar?
The McLaren Senna is a hypercar – a vehicle that represents the very pinnacle of automotive design, engineering and performance.
It was shaped by a single-minded purpose to be the fastest track-focused road McLaren ever – and nothing was allowed to compromise this vision in any way.
The balance of extreme capability, no-compromise design and exclusivity make the McLaren Senna a thoroughbred hypercar.
Why is Ayrton Senna considered the greatest driver?
Ayrton Senna is considered by many as the greatest racing driver in F1 history, because he possessed a very rare combination of talents.
He had uncompromising natural ability behind the wheel – a peerless intuitive connection with his cars. He was also driven by an absolute single-minded determination to achieve victory.
During his six years with the McLaren team, these qualities aligned perfectly and he won three world championships, achieved 46 pole positions, and took victory in 35 races – including 5 consecutive wins at the fabled Monaco Grand Prix.
When did the McLaren Senna come out?
The McLaren Senna was unveiled online on 10 December 2017, production began in 2018.
The very first car to reach its owner was chassis number 008, delivered by McLaren Ascot in the UK on 9 May 2018.
Is the McLaren Senna road legal?
Yes, the McLaren Senna is a road legal vehicle.
The car was engineered with one purpose in mind: to deliver the fastest possible lap times. It is shaped by an extreme and uncompromising track focus that engages its driver with raw intensity.
What is Senna30?
Ayrton Senna’s final race was the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola on 1st May 1994. In 2024, McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing collaborated to mark this highly significant thirtieth Anniversary, and to celebrate the life and achievements of F1’s ultimate driver – a true McLaren icon.
The Senna Brands are proud to create a positive cycle. The products and the actions from Senna brand generate resources for educational programs at Ayrton Senna’s Institute. Over the course of 30 years, with the belief that only quality education can transform lives, the Instituto Ayrton Senna reached more than 36 million Brazilian students, creating opportunities for the new generation to be successful in their lives.
All images courtesy of Senna Brands
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