The 2025 Formula 1 season kicks off in Australia, surrounded by anticipation with Brazil’s return to the grid and significant changes among teams and drivers. It’s a stark contrast to the years when Ayrton Senna was on the track, as Australia used to host the final race of the season rather than the first.

Senna’s unforgettable moments in Australia remain etched in history, despite the fact that he never raced at Albert Park, the venue for Formula 1 since 1996. However, the Brazilian legend made his mark on the streets of Adelaide, where he secured two victories, three podiums, and six pole positions.

The First Australian Grand Prix

Ayrton Senna’s story in Australia began with the very first edition of the Australian GP. In 1985, Formula 1 made its debut in the country, and the Brazilian driver claimed pole position in his Lotus 97T. Watch Senna’s flying lap:

As was often the case on street circuits, Senna dominated qualifying in Adelaide. In addition to his pole position in the track’s inaugural race, he set the fastest qualifying lap in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1993.

The Final Pole Position

His last pole position was one of the most remarkable moments of his career. The McLaren team desperately tried to warn Senna that he was running out of fuel. However, with the team radio malfunctioning (or, as some believe, Senna simply ignoring the warnings), he pushed his McLaren to the absolute limit and secured pole position with a 0.436-second advantage over Alain Prost, who was driving the dominant Williams. At the end of the session, even Senna himself could hardly believe what he had accomplished—it was his only pole position of the 1993 season.

Memorable Victories

Senna’s victories in Australia were also unforgettable. In 1991, the Adelaide Grand Prix was the first race after he secured his third world championship in Japan. After an intense celebration, Senna started from pole, but torrential rain forced race officials to halt the race on lap 14 due to unsafe conditions. For 30 years, this race held the record as the shortest in Formula 1 history.

In 1993, Senna took the victory in Adelaide, sharing the podium for the last time with Alain Prost, who retired from Formula 1 after winning that year’s championship. This race also marked Senna’s 41st and final career victory. It was his farewell to McLaren before joining Williams in 1994.

Simply the Best

Following the 1993 race, Ayrton attended a concert by American singer Tina Turner, who dedicated her hit song The Best to him. The crowd erupted in applause as Senna took the stage – though he appeared far more reserved than when he celebrated on the podium.

To this day, The Best remains closely associated with Senna, reaching new generations who discovered the song through the SENNA Netflix series.

Homenagem aos 30 anos de legado

Last year, as part of the global celebrations marking 30 years of Ayrton Senna’s legacy, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), in partnership with the Senna brand, organized a tribute during the Australian Grand Prix weekend.

A helicopter painted in the colors of Senna’s iconic helmet flew over Albert Park. Following the Drivers’ Parade, the aircraft appeared in the sky and traced the circuit’s layout, showcasing to the world the enduring power of Senna’s image and presence in elite motorsport.