Ayrton Senna's 'Lap of the Gods' | 1993 European Grand Prix

The greatest lap of all time? See why Ayrton Senna's sensational opening lap at the 1993 European Grand Prix at Donington Park went down in history.

[keithrichards]

It's not about going from 5th to 1st in one lap. Is about to pass Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and Alain Prost... in a underpowered car... in one lap... easy like they were backmarkers. Epic stuff.

[Lovee_eth]

“You can’t overtake 15 cars in sunny weather… but you can when it’s raining.” — Ayrton Senna

[PetrisonRocha]

He needed 8 turns to pass the 4 leading cars, including three drivers who were or would be world champions and were in faster cars. NOTHING can beat this.

[tomroswell]

I watch f1 for over 40 years, i never seen in my life anything like this, i don't care who has the most titles. or who is the most successful, after all, skills it's not only about success. Ayrton Senna was, the best driver i ever saw. Nobody ever won a 4 time champion teammate and one of the greatest ever drivers (Alain Prost) like Senna did. I was lucky seen him once, and i feel blessed.

[johntempest]

The world was robbed of a decade long racing rivalry.
Senna-Shumacher. In wet conditions, Senna could win driving any team's car.
I think he was the best ever. RIP Senna.

[AlexandreAntonioCFaria]

In the same lap, Rubens Barrichello climb from 14th to 4th with a Jordan-Hart. That Was his 3rd race in F1

[waynespencer]

1 May 2024. 30 years today since we lost Senna.
I was at Donington for the F1 weekend in 1993 and at Silverstone in 1992.
Both times with my late Mum and Dad.
It was a privilege to see the great Senna drive.
The greatest ever in my opinion.
We miss him today 30 years on but he will always be with us.
Thank you Ayrton for so many wonderful memories.

[tchatchatcha]

Williams: We have electronics elements.
Senna: I have only my hands and I'm seeing you in the rearview mirror.

[marquesdeportago]

Yes kids, those were McLaren and Williams on the front

[MoniFps]

Imagine Prost's reaction when Senna go past him before even completing the first lap.

[rti]

What made this lap so special to me was after he did it, he never let up. He not only utterly crushed every single driver out there that day, he showed the track and weather who was boss to. Then he claimed it was a combination of luck and team work. What an absolute legend.

[socioster]

Senna simple overtook 11 world champion titles in less than one lap. WOW 🤯

[audifan]

Mclaren, the third fastest car in 1993. Five wins, only possible with a great driver called Ayrton Senna.

[bobibest]

The rain separates the great drivers from the GOAT!

[RobsonVieira_-_rockbychoice_-_]

Ayrton Senna: best pilot in the history of F1.

[AlonsoRules]

30 years ago today. An absolute masterclass from Senna.

[TheKincognito]

WARNING:

This Video may contain too many F1 Legends for your Mind to take.
Watch with caution.

[claudiotormen]

He is the best of history. But, specifically in the rain, nobody was even close to his performances.

[seniordavidmanderson]

In 1989 the normally aspirated engines arrived and many thought that Senna would lose some of his amazing speed without turbos. But Ayrton remained supremely fast in all conditions. While going around corners he still refused to take his foot off the gas pedal, a technique he learned as a kid during his karting years.

Ayrton Senna's trust in divine intervention helped him to go faster than he normally could have. Being guided by a higher power enhanced his performance beyond what it would have been without religion. His faith made all the difference. Ayrton had an unshakable belief that he was fulfilling God's will.

He prepared himself better than any other driver before, both physically and mentally. He was an innovator in using sport psychology, physical, and mental trainer Nuno Cobra before anyone else in Formula 1. He used techniques to control his breathing and relax when he was becoming over-aroused. These methods allowed him to concentrate at almost superhuman level and get into the zone almost at will during races.

Gerhard Berger: Once he was focused he didn't feel any pain or stress. Nothing. Damon Hill: He talked about a state of mind he got into whereby he was there, but not really driving the car. Prost describes how, after a race at Monaco, Ayrton explains how he monitored his performance during the race itself: He managed to visualize from a 'third person' perspective (i.e. as if watching from outside) during the race and corrected his mistakes.

Ayrton Senna had the qualities to be the best racing driver of his time, and that is exactly what he was. His tombstone simply reads: 'Nothing can separate me from Gods love'

[Felipe-zmxs]

0:30 just insane how he puts his car perfectly