VIDEO // AYRTON SENNA - JAPANESE GP QUALIFYING 1989

Sit back and watch as Ayrton Senna puts his Mclaren Mp4/5 on pole ahead of the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit. Video comes to us courtesy of Motorsport Retro // [comment]

VIDEO // MOTORSPORT - EVERY SECOND COUNTS

For those of you that didn't see this video posted to the ColdTrackDays Facebook page, check out this wonderful collection of motorsport footage uploaded by antti2phoenixbird. The video, which includes footage of everything from Formula One and MotoGP to the Dakar Rally and the World Rally Championship, also includes a handful of quotes from some of racings greatest participants // [comment]

PREVIEW // AYRTON SENNA DOCUMENTARY

According to our sources, the first official feature-length film highlighting the life and times of Formula One legend, Ayrton Senna, is scheduled to be released sometime this fall. The film, which will be titled Senna, is backed by the FIA, the Senna family and the Ayrton Senna Foundation, and will chronicle his career in F1 and his untimely death at the age of 34. Certainly a must see for any motorsport fan // [comment]

VIDEO(S) // AYRTON SENNA & THE JOHN PLAYER SPECIAL

Even more 80's F1 action courtesy of ColdTrackDays correspondent, Camden Thrasher. This time, follow the link for a pair of qualifying videos featuring Ayrton Senna and the Lotus John Player Special... [read more]







Image and Info: Camden Thrasher
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

CULTURE // CELEBRATING SENNA'S 50TH BIRTHDAY

As you may or may not know, today would have been Ayrton Senna's 50th birthday. To celebrate, we have put together a collection of videos from Senna's F1 career, as well as an hour long documentary on the life of the three-time Formula One world champion... [read more]

A LOOK BACK // FORMULA ONE IN THE 1990'S

Earlier this week I was contacted by Tim Morson, a UK native who intends to visit this years Formula One test session at the Jerez Circuit in Spain. Tim was curious if we'd be interested in featuring a few of his photos from the event and was in hopes that we could secure media credentials for him.

Well, while we wait on a response from the FIA, Tim has provided us with a handful of images he took in the 1990's, all of which he has since scanned onto his computer. Included in the photos are some rather incredible shots of Formula One legends, Ayrton Senna, Jean Alesi, Ivan Capelli, Nelson Piquet and Alain Prost.

Follow the link for a look... [read more]

This was a closed test in late 91. Also present for Mclaren was Roberto Moreno just after his saking from Bennetton, Jonathan Palmer and Gerhard Berger.

How fortunate I was to be at this test, late September 1991. Also present for Mclaren was Gerhard Berger, Jonathan Palmer and Roberto Moreno shortly after his dismissal from Benetton. Senna cuts off his engine to be coasted back to his box by his mechanics.

Johnny Herbert - Lotus 1992. Shot at Luffied 2 Friday practise for the 1992 British Grand Prix. During a tour of the Lotus factory in 1994, this was left for the attention for the driver. As promised it was returned fully autographed and remains in my private collection.

Nelson Piquet - Benneton 1991. Taken in the Pitlane during testing.

Jean Alesi - Ferrari 1991. Taken during a break in testing at Silverstone.

Nigel Mansell - Winner 1992 British Grand Prix. An overexcited British crowd justifiably show their enthusiasm for their sporting hero. Most of us had been at the circuit since 4am, Club corner is always the best place to be on race day. This was the best and last shot of the entire weekend.

Ayrton Senna. Senna looks over telemetry with his engineer. Silverstone 1991.

Ivan Capelli - Leyton House Silverstone 1991.

Rubens Barrichello-Stewart Ford 1997. I was working locally and was put on the guest list by an employee of Bridgestone. This was a closed test session in 1997, present were Stewart Ford, Tyrell, Arrows and Mclaren.

Ralf was there in his first season with Jordan and was good enough to pose for a picture with the ex wife and an autograph. Along with Coulthard, Jackie Stewart and Pedro Dinez who were all good enough to give us a few moments.

Mauricio Gugelmin Silverstone Tyre Test 1992. This is the first of two shots I am proud of. There was a drop down door in the mesh that the pros would use to get some good shots. The rest of us would be a few yards back so there would only be a short window of oppotunity to get the framing just right. A split second either way and the picture would be useless.

Stefano Modena Silverstone Tyre Test 1992. The second of the pair was taken at the second of the old Luffiled complex. I had the pictures enlarged and hand delivered them to Jordan Factory. I gave them my name and address and they both came back signed by the drivers. Winner.

Martin Donnelly and Mika Hakkinen Silverstone Tyre Test 1991. Photo Shoot during the tyre test of 91. This was Donnelly's first time at a circuit since he was nearly killed the previous year. This was a staged shot organised by Lotus as he was "welcoming" his replacement, Mika Hakkinen. This was published in F1 news magazine in 1992.

David Coulthard British Grand Prix 1999. This was taken at the British GP. We were given 2 guest passes from a sponsor of the Jordan Team that was a supplier of my Fathers. We were only able to keep them for 30 mins before they were to be returned to the sponsor's hospitality provider. This is a lucky "over the top " point and shoot.

Alain Prost Ferrari 1991. Shot during a tyre test at Silverstone.


For a look at more of Tim Morson's photography, click here
Be sure and stay tuned for photos from the F1 test session at Jerez... assuming all goes as planned :0

Photo/Editorial: Tim Morson

CULTURE // AYRTON SENNA NAMED F1'S GREATEST DRIVER

Autosport recently conducted a poll of more than 200 Formula One drivers, asking each who they thought the greatest F1 driver of all time was. After completing their survey, Autosport has since released a list of the top 40 F1 driver's of all time, with Brazilian Ayrton Senna taking the top spot. A poll that will almost certainly incite a debate, follow the link for a look at the top 40 F1 drivers of all time... [read more]

F1's Greatest Drivers:

1. Ayrton Senna
2. Michael Schumacher
3. Juan Manuel Fangio
4. Alain Prost
5. Jim Clark
6. Jackie Stewart
7. Niki Lauda
8. Stirling Moss
9. Fernando Alonso
10. Gilles Villeneuve
11. Nigel Mansell
12. Emerson Fittipaldi
13. Nelson Piquet Sr.
14. Jochen Rindt
15. Mika Hakkinen
16. Alberto Ascari
17. Lewis Hamilton
18. Jack Brabham
19, Ronnie Peterson
20. Mario Andretti
21. Graham Hill
22. Kimi Raikkonen
23. John Surtees
24. James Hunt
25. Keke Rosberg
26. Sebastian Vettel
27. Jose Froilan Gonzalez
28. Dan Gurney
29. Francois Cevert
30. Jenson Button
31. Alan Jones
32. Giuseppe Farina
33. Phil Hill
34. Carlos Reutemann
35. Stefan Bellof
36. Clay Regazzoni
37. Gerhard Berger
38. Jean Behra
39. Riccardo Patrese
40. Jacky Ickx

For a look at the original list as seen on Autosport, click here

Images and Info: Autosport
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

HISTORY // F1 LEGENDS COMPETE @ NURBURGRING (1984)

On May 12th, 1984, in conjunction with the opening of the new Nurburgring Grand Prix facility, Mercedes hosted a spec race with a handful of past, present and future F1 drivers. Each competitor was given an identical 16 valve, Cosworth powered Mercedes 190E 2.3-16, and the field of 20 drivers lined up for a 12 lap race around the new Grand Prix track. Amongst the drivers entered in the race was Elio de Angelis, Jack Brabham, Hans Herrmann, Phill Hill, Denny Hulme, James Hunt, Alan Jones, Jacques Laffite, Niki Lauda, Klaus Ludwig, Stirling Moss, Alain Prost,  Carlos Reutemann, Keke Rosberg, Jody Scheckter, Udo Schultz, Manfred Schurti, John Surtees, John Watson and Ayrton Senna.

With a field full of F1 legends, the competiton was, as expected, spirited. Running 12 full laps around the recently complete Grand Prix track, Brazilian Ayrton Senna took an early lead and never looked back. Follow the link for a bit of video from the race... [read more]



Photo/Video: MotorsportRetro
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

NEWS // SENNNA WILL RACE IN FORMULA ONE

Enrique Rodriguez de Castro, CEO of Campos Meta, announced earlier this week that Bruno Senna, nephew to famed Brazilian F1 driver Ayrton Senna, will drive for the newly formed Campos Meta 1 during the 2010 Formula One season. In a statement made to the press, Rodriguez de Castro said “For Campos Meta 1, it is an extraordinary honour to be returning the name Senna to Formula 1.”

Campos Meta will not only be the first Spanish F1 team, but the first Iberian-American F1 team. And with Bruno Senna at the wheel, Campos Meta just might shake up the F1 heirarchy when the 2010 season kicks off in Australia // [comment]

A LOOK BACK // AYRTON SENNA @ INTERLAGOS

With the Brazilian Grand Prix just around the corner, we thought we'd take a look back at one of motorsports most important circuits, the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, and the role it played in the career of Ayrton Senna, who some might argue is the greatest Formula One driver of all time.

First held in 1972, the Brazilian Grand Prix has always been one of the most important races on the Formula One calendar. It quite literally decided the 2008 championship, when Lewis Hamilton passed Timo Glock on the last corner of the last lap, giving him the one point he needed to collect his first championship. Senna's history at Interlagos is equally as storied. Collecting his first win at Interlagos in 1991, Senna would struggle at his home track the following year, retiring due to engine failure after only 17 laps. The following year Senna would redeemed himself, collecting his second win at Interlagos, beating Damon Hill to the finish line by more than 16 seconds. In 1994, what was to be Senna's last season, the Brazilian driver spun off after 55 laps, ending his race. A true champion, Senna's connection with his home track lives on with a set of corners dedicated to him.

Follow the link for a few photos of Ayrton Senna at Interlagos, as well as a handful of videos... [read more]

VIDEO // BRUNO SENNA LAPS YAS MARINA F1 CIRCUIT

The above footage, courtesy of James Allen, shows Bruno Senna, GP2 star and nephew to F1 legend Ayrton Senna, lapping the newly completed Yas Marina F1 Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Senna appears to be at the wheel of a two-seat formula car and gives us the first bit of on-board footage from the new circuit. Follow the link for a map of the Yas Marina Circuit and let us know what you think of the new track... [read more]

THE TEAM: A SEASON WITH MCLAREN // EP4: THE BOY FROM BRAZIL

Following the 1993 Formula One season, the BBC aired a seven part television series dubbed The Team: A Season with McLaren. One of the greatest motorsport documentaries ever produced, what follows is the fourth installment, The Boy from Brazil, a feature that looks at not only Ayrton Senna, but his relationship with McLaren team boss, Ron Dennis. A brilliant bit of video we are sure you'll enjoy... [read more]









Image: simonyfrontsjones
Video: YouTube via Speedhunters

SENNA'S LOTUS-RENAULT 97T // LES VOITURES [PART 1]

Ahead of our trip to the 24 Heures de Mans, I thought we'd take a look at a few of the cars we may come across during our visit to France. Now I know it is rather unlikely that we stumble upon Ayrton Senna's Lotus-Renault 97T Formula One car, but hey, this is a motorsport website...

Photo courtesy of Nick Lawes // [comment]