Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Senna!
Netflix’sSennais finally here, and the series has reignited controversy overwhether Senna cheated to win the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka by crashing into Prost. Ayrton Senna is one of the most legendary drivers in the history of Formula One racing, with him collecting all kinds of wins, pole positions, and records before his tragic death in 1994. However, one of the most famous details about Senna’s life is his rivalry with Alain Prost, something that is explored in Netflix’sSenna.
Thebiographical miniseriesSennais one of Netflix’s most exciting new shows, with it finally bringing the story of Formula One’s Ayrton Senna to a broader audience. The series starsGabriel Leone as Ayrton Senna, with it delving into his personal and professional life. WhileSennafeatures a variety of racers, one of the most exciting (outside of Senna himself) is Senna’s rival Alain Prost, played by Matt Mella. While their rivalry went on for years, the most famous conflict was Senna’s controversial crash at the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix.
Senna & Prost’s Crash In 1989: What Happened
It Was The First Of Two Suzuka Crashes
Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost’s rivalry was heated ahead of the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix, with Prost being 16 points ahead of Senna in theDrivers' Championship standings before the race. Senna knew that the only shot he had at winning the Formula One championship was by winning his next two races, which would be a challenge due to Prost’s involvement and the fact that a Senna crash would mean Prost won the title. The race took place at Suzuka Circuit, with Senna having pole position and Prost being second. Thus, the infamous race began.
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Prost was dominant for most of the race. Senna wasn’t able to pull ahead,but on lap 46, Senna grew desperate. Prost was only seven laps away from securing the title, leading Senna to try to overtake him on the inside. Prost wouldn’t let Senna pass, causing Senna to crash both cars onto the escape road. Prost exited his car, believing that Senna’s crash had secured him the title. However, Senna had the marshals give him a bump start, allowing him to get back on the track and win the race.
How Senna Won The 1990 Formula One Championship
He Wasn’t Disqualified After The 1990 Crash
AlthoughSenna won the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix, the controversial move led to a massive battle in the world of Formula One. Since Senna cut the chicane during his bump-start, the stewards disqualified him. Although Senna appealed to the FISA, they dismissed his case and let the disqualification stand. Senna had to pay a $100,000 fine and serve a six-month ban, with Senna threatening to retire before changing his mind. Senna raced again in the 1990 season, with Senna and Prost facing off at Suzuka once more.
At the first turn on the first lap, Senna crashed into Prost. This ended the race for both of the drivers. Because of the standing going into the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix,this led to Senna clinching the title. The parallels between the 1989 and 1990 crashes between Senna and Prost at the Japanese Grand Prix has made the series of events one of the most famous in the duo’s rivalry, with one crash earning Prost the title and the other giving it to Senna.
Did Senna Cheat In 1990? Did He Crash Into Prost On Purpose?
Senna Admitted That He Wouldn’t Let Prost By
After the 1990 race, Prost,who was now racing for Ferrari, immediately said that Senna crashed on purpose. In the debate, it is often cited that Honda’s telemetry showed that Senna kept his foot on the throttle during turn one, suggesting that he wanted to intentionally crash into Prost. Despite this, Senna was not penalized for the 1990 crash, even though he was for the 1989 one. Senna maintained his innocence, saying that he simply didn’t want to let Prost through the first corner.
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Eventually, Senna admitted that he crashed into Prost on purpose. He cited the end of the 1989 race, saying that the duo was now even. Much like how the crash started after Prost refused to let Senna by, Senna said that he caused the crash after he refused to let Prost by. It is widely believed that Senna’s disqualification in the previous season earned him sympathy in the 1990 season, explaining why he wasn’t disqualified. However, the debate will most likely start again withthe release of Netflix’sSenna.
Senna
Cast
Senna is a biographical drama series directed by Vicente Amorim, chronicling the life and career of Brazilian Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna. The series offers an in-depth look at Senna’s rise in the racing world, his personal challenges, and the impact of his legacy on the sport.
