Revving up for the very special tribute display of Ayrton Senna’s race cars at this summer’s Silverstone Festival, current Formula 1 driver, Pierre Gasly, was recently at Silverstone putting the Brazilian’s first-ever F1 car through its paces.
Senna made his Grand Prix debut 40 years ago in the history-making Toleman TG183B back in 1984 and also scored his maiden World Championship points in it. The Toleman will be one of the many iconic machines on show over the Bank Holiday weekend 23-25 August.
During his stellar career, Senna scored more victories at Silverstone than any other circuit and, honouring his extraordinary achievements, Silverstone Festival will showcase many of those exalted winners.
Gasly’s laps in the Toleman were filmed by Sky F1 as part of a moving tribute to Senna’s incredible legacy being aired over the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, 30 years after the tragic accident at the same Imola circuit.
Although he was born nearly two years after Senna’s death, the BWT Alpine F1 driver is a huge admirer of the three-time world champion and is racing at Imola in an hugely evocative Senna-inspired helmet with the support of the Senna family. Fuelling further memories, he wore the same poignant helmet when piloting the South American’s breakthrough Toleman at Silverstone.