Ayrton Senna – I can’t think of a better way to welcome in the New Year than with a tribute to one of my absolute heroes. This was a case of lucky timing and generosity on the part of the Hamilton Collection, and this car’s new owner, who gave me the time to look at this very special race car. Specifically: Senna's Formula 3 Ralt-Toyota from 1982

Arriving into single-seat racing competition late at the age of 19, I needed role models to make up for my sheer lack of experience and Senna was (is) THE MAN to follow. I researched his style and his resume on a granular level – every race, every qualifying session, every interview, his back story and over time I formed a view of the man and his mastery of mind over matter. This was a man born with extraordinary talent but with a rare and special level of determination to perfect the art of driving.

Senna’s ascent up the ladder of motorsport was legendary. He contested heated battles in high speed go-karting with the likes of Terry Fullerton, before climbing into one of Ralph Firman’s Formula Ford single seaters in 1981 and dominating the competition. Living in a foreign country, in Attleborough / Norfolk of all places, Senna found kindred spirits in Great Britain. Motorsport Legends like Dennis Rushen, for whom he won both the UK & European Formula Ford 2000 Championships in 1982.

F2000 was a fast machine with super sticky slick tyres and wings that created downforce – but it wasn’t the big league, or even the gateway to it. Formula 3 was the gateway. So later that year in 1982 – Senna climbed aboard a Formula 3 car for a one-off race with West Surrey Racing run by Dick Bennetts. Yes. You can guess the outcome.. he blitzed the race and won from Pole Position.

But all of this was part of a bigger story – it was the beginning of the Senna era. The era of epic rivalries – starting with Martin Brundle the following year.. and then straight into F1 with Alain Prost the year after.. and then with Jean-Marie Balestre at the FIA. If you want to understand Senna and his craft, his driving style, his relentless determination to win at all costs – then you can’t ignore his time in Formula 3. It’s EPIC.

So this was Senna’s first Formula 3 car – Dick Bennetts told me that this was his “favourite” F3 car and that Senna was disappointed that Dick replaced it with a new one for 1983. This was a dangerous time for Senna – a make or break moment that would decide his career and it was amazing to get such a close look at HIS ACTUAL CAR!!! As a driver you live and breathe these machines for a season – you get to know every notch on the gear lever, a smudge on the seatbelts, a scratch on the tacho.. it becomes home.

Wishing you all the best for 2024 – own it and be your best you X

I hope you enjoy this deep-dive into the story of Senna's early years in Formula 3.

Big thanks to Duncan Hamilton ROFGO:
  / duncanhamiltonrofgo  

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