The horrifying images of Ayrton Senna's death are familiar to
all Formula 1 fans, a morbid reminder of the dangers of motorsport.
The last driver fatality in Formula 1 happened to be the most
talented and determined racing driver of his generation, and was
all the more poignant for it.
After the event, there was huge regret over the loss of a
remarkable man and formidable competitor. Underneath all of the
sorrow, Formula 1 knew that it had been deprived of a fascinating
rivalry: Senna v Schumacher. The young German and the multiple
champion Brazilian had shared the grid for just two full seasons,
in mismatched equipment. Rarely did they see each other on track,
but when they did, fireworks ensued. But in 1994, these past and
future stars were destined to collide. Senna took pole for the
first race of the season, but retired as Schumacher took victory.
The same story was repeated at the second. In the third race, Senna
again took pole. He was leading from the German's Benetton when he
left the track.
So today we ask the question: what would have happened if Senna
had survived? If the Williams had come to a rest and Senna had
climbed out, angry but unharmed? The result would probably have
been a rivalry which would have captivated the sporting the world.
With the retirement of Prost at the end of the previous year, Senna
had lost not only his famous rival but also his some of his famous
motivation - motivation he gleaned by willing himself to prove he
was better, faster than the Frenchman. Now in Schumacher he had a
direct replacement. The Benetton driver had grown up worshipping
Senna, and inherited many of his characteristics - blinding speed,
utter determination and a notable ruthless streak. Faced with a
younger version of himself, Senna was seemingly flustered. The two
collided on track numerous times, and harsh words were exchanged.
By the start of 1994, the Brazilian was convinced that Schumacher
and his team were gaining an illegal advantage. It was a dispute
which threatened to boil over, before being tragically snuffed
out.
As we know, 1994 became one of the closest title battles ever as
Benetton were found guilty of a number of crimes and the late
Senna's team-mate Damon Hill rallied the Williams team into a title
challenge. It came to a head at the final round in Adelaide:
essentially whichever driver finished in front would win the title.
Schumacher went off and damaged his car, before returning to the
track. Hill saw an opportunity and dived for the inside, and the
two cars collided. Schumacher won the title by the slimmest of
margins. It's impossible to know what would have happened if Senna
had been in Hill's position, not only in Australia but for the
whole season. Many silly incidents would have been avoided and
fewer points wasted, for certain. In a clearly superior car, Senna
may well have triumphed and won a fourth title. But perhaps not -
faced with a slowing Schumacher in Australia and smelling glory,
the Brazilian would most likely have made the same ill fated move
for the lead, with the same consequences. After all, he had settled
titles in such a manner before, and his most famous mantra was "if
you no longer go for a gap which exists, you are no longer a racing
driver." The 1994 title could have gone either way, but you get a
sense that Senna would have hunted Schumacher down much more
efficiently than the bumbling, charming Hill ever could. We'll
never know.
Let us assume that Senna would have raced on to the same age as
his rivals, Prost and Mansell - a Senna in his late thirties
calling time on his career in 1999. What would he have achieved in
that handful of extra seasons? Maybe he wins the 1994 title after a
thrilling comeback, but concedes defeat in 1995 as Schumacher
obtains Renault power and gains the upper hand. Schumacher
considers his work at Benetton done, and moves to the challenge of
Ferrari, where he endures a relatively uncompetitive season in
which he is never a title threat, while Williams continues to
flourish. Temporarily freed of Schumacher's presence, Senna takes a
record equalling fifth title with some ease, winning it by a
distance from rookie team-mate Jacques Villeneueve.
Now a five times world champion, Senna would undoubtedly have
wanted to fulfil two ambitions: first, to become the greatest
driver of all time by securing a sixth title, and second, his long
term wish: to end his magnificent career driving for the famous
Scuderia Ferrari. Finally, in 1997, Schumacher and Senna come
together for the Italian team, and in a season of bitter wrangling
they steal many points from each other, each too pre-occupied with
obtaining number one status to notice Jacques Villeneuve edging to
the title for Williams. In 1998, there is more of the same, but now
Schumacher has the advantage at Ferrari and takes the fight all the
way to Hakkinen, falling short by a small margin - although the
partnership does secure the constructor's championship for Ferrari
for the first time since 1983. Finally, Senna vows to make one more
attempt in 1999. By now he is not quite the driver he was, and
Schumacher is clearly the team's best shot at the championship. But
at Silverstone, the German suffers and failure and breaks his leg.
He is out of the sport for months. His title bid is in tatters, and
Senna steps up to the plate. As McLaren falter, Senna picks up a
handful of precious wins and ultimately, at the season finale,
conjures up the old speed to pass Hakkinen with a mix of clever
strategy and masterful driving. Senna wins a record sixth title,
bringing the driver's championship back to Ferrari for the first
time in twenty years. Satisfied, he finally retires.
Of course, much of the above is so hypothetical it verges on
ludicrous to even suggest it. What would have happened is
impossible to know, but we do know that Senna did not intend to
stay with Williams forever, and that Ferrari was his ultimate
ambition, reportedly prepared to drive for the team for a fee of
nothing, even if the car was uncompetitive. If we look at the
events which succeeded his death, then we see so many opportunities
for Senna to have made history if he had only walked away from his
accident. As it is, he truly claimed his place in the history
books. But that doesn't prevent us pondering what might have
been…