The greatest lap in Formula 1 history?
The greatest lap in Formula 1 history?
Ayrton Senna delivered what has come to be known as the greatest lap in Formula 1 history on this day in 1993.
In wet conditions Senna put in the most memorable performance of his glittering career.
Having qualified fourth in dry conditions for the European Grand Prix, a race that was being held for the first and only time at the Donington Park circuit in England, the race was a complete trip into the unknown.
Dropping down to fifth behind the Sauber of Karl Wendlinger as the lights went out, Senna quickly regained fourth as he passed Michael Schumacher's Benetton on the inside of turn one, Redgate.
Continuing his early charge, Senna retook Wendlinger on the downhill run through the Craner Curves, a move rarely seen even in tin top championships to this day.
Now only behind the Williams drivers Alain Prost and Damon Hill, Senna again wasted no time in dispatching Hill. The Brazilian lunged for the inside at turn seven, McLean's and was up to second position after only half a lap.
Not content to sit back, Senna made his move on Prost at the Melbourne Hairpin. The heaviest braking point on the circuit, Senna made the move look simple as he slid past on the inside.
Senna would not have the whole race go his own way however.
Telling his team that he thought that the rain, which had now stopped, would not return, the Brazilian requested that slicks be fitted to his car. A problem in the stop saw Prost regain the lead, but Senna need not have worried.
How 'The Butterfly' became a Ferrari legendRead more
Prost would pit a total of seven times during the race leaving Senna to take the flag be a remarkable one minute 23.199 seconds from Hill, Prost finishing third and one lap down.
There were only 11-classified finishers on that rainy day at Donington, but the race will forever be remembered for one reason and one reason alone - that incredible opening lap of Ayrton Senna.
Hamilton tells the NHS 'you guys are the real heroes'Read more
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Red Bull is 'burning' after Horner and Marko display
- 15 minutes ago
Red Bull announce strong statement over Newey departure claims
- 1 hour ago
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
- 2 hours ago
F1 champion reveals £100 MILLION contract to keep racing
- 3 hours ago
F1 News Today: Newey 'property hunt' reveals Red Bull exit clues as Hamilton hints at Ferrari swoop
- 3 hours ago
Sky Sports F1 pundit calls for RADICAL change with impressive argument
- Today 16:57
- 1
Related news
F1 legend's ICONIC car put up for sale in UK
Netflix confirm Drive to Survive-style documentary on F1 icon
Verstappen compared to F1 legend Senna after Perez struggles
The 1988 Monaco Grand Prix: The Race That Defined Ayrton Senna
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860