Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Senna!

Netflix's Senna is finally here, and here is a full breakdown of Ayrton Senna' career timeline, from Formula Ford to Formula One. Ayrton Senna is one of the most legendary Formula One racers in the history of the sport, with his accomplishments and untimely death making him a racing icon. Now, Netflix has released a biographical miniseries chronicling the life of Ayrton Senna, showing his transformation into the Formula One racer that he was at the time of his death. Senna hits most of the biggest beats from the titular racer's life, but here is a full timeline of everything.

Gabriel Leone stars as Ayrton Senna in Netflix's new miniseries, with him bringing the legendary racer who passed away in a 1994 racing accident to television screens once again. Senna features a lot of details that many Formula One fans didn't know about the driver, highlighting the professional and the personal from throughout his 34 years on Earth. There is a lot to cover from throughout Ayrton Senna's life, so here is a full breakdown from his racing origins to his final race.

Ayrton Senna Started Racing With Go-Karts

He Loved Driving From A Young Age

The love of racing came to Ayrton Senna at a very young age, with him starting his racing career in go-karts. Senna was born in Santana, S?o Paulo on March 21, 1960, as the second child to a factory owner and his wife. Senna was incredibly athletic from a young age, and began to show an interest in cars at the age of four. Senna was taught how to drive a Jeep at the age of seven, with him driving it around his family's farm. Although he was only seven years old, once Senna got behind the wheel of his first car, he would never stop driving.

A collage featuring six of the best shows on Netflix in October 2024 - created by Tom Russell
Related
30 Best TV Shows On Netflix Right Now (November 2024)

From classics like Suits and Seinfeld to twisty sci-fi like Stranger Things, the best shows on Netflix have something for everyone.

2

Senna's father used a lawnmower battery to build Senna his first go-kart, with him entering his first go-kart racing competition at Interlagos at the age of 13. Despite being years younger than his competitors, Senna exceeded at this race, with him leading for most of the event before he crashed into another driver. Senna then moved on to karting competitions, with him competing in the South American Kart Championship in 1977. Five times from 1978 to 1982, Senna competed in the Karting World Championship, giving him further experience, prominence, and even a manager.

Ayrton Senna First Competed In Formula Ford

Quickly Proving His Formula Potential

Ayrton Senna 2010 (2)

After years of go-kart racing, Senna moved to England in 1981, with him preparing to further his racing career. That same year, Senna began competing in Formula Ford, an entry-level class of single-seater, open-wheel formula racing. As part of British race car manufacturer Van Diemen, Senna won the British and Townsend Thoresen Championships in 1981. After this, however, Senna decided to return home to Brazil, with pressure from his parents leading him to move away from the sport and pursue a job in the family business.

Despite this, Senna was offered a job with the two-litre Formula Ford team, something that he thought over as he moved back to Brazil. He then decided to return to England and race again, with this being the point that he took up the surname "Senna." Senna began racing again in 1982, and, with sponsorships from Banerj and Pool, he raced in the British and European Championships. In this competition, Senna won 15 out of the 17 races that he competed in, further cementing him as the legendary racer that he would soon become.

Senna Advanced To Formula Three In 1983

But He Wasn't There For Long

Side by side image of Gabriel Leone as Ayrton Senna

After dominating in Formula Ford, Ayrton Senna made another major step in his career by moving on to Formula Three racing, with this being a third-tier class of single-seater, open-wheel formula racing. As a member of the West Surrey Racing team, Senna excelled throughout the first half of the season, with him dominating the league in 1983. Rival Martin Brundle caught back up in the second half of the season, but Senna ended up winning the final round against Brundle, giving him the title.

Ayrton Sennas Formula One Wins Championships All Records
Related
Ayrton Senna¡¯s Formula One Wins, Championships & All Records

Netflix's Senna miniseries proves how successful of a driver Ayrton Senna was, and here is a full breakdown of his wins and other career achievements.

Senna then continued to excel in the world of Formula Three in November 1983, where he competed in the Macau Formula Three Grand Prix. There, Senna raced with the Theodore Racing Team, with him barely beating driver Roberto Guerrero to get first place in the competition. Although he had been in Formula Three for less than a year, his dominance over the competition led managers and teams to see a lot of potential in him, with Ayrton Senna then getting the chance to move up to Formula One.

Senna Competed In Formula One From 1983-1994

He Raced With Multiple Different Teams

Ayrton Senna was a popular racer upon his move to Formula One, with him testing for all kinds of teams that wanted to sign him. After a series of tests, Senna ended up signing with a relatively new team named Toleman. Senna made his debut at the Brazillian Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro, with him qualifying 17th. Senna then finished sixth at the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, and again at the Belgian Grand Prix. Senna then competed in the Monaco Grand Prix, the British Grand Prix, and the Portugese Grand Prix, as well as the Drivers' Championship.

Senna began negotiating with Lotus while he was still part of Toleman, with him then being suspended from the team for breaching his contract. Senna began racing for Lotus in 1986, with him getting eight pole positions and eight podium finishes. At the Detroit Grand Prix, Senna drove a lap while waving the Brazilian flag after winning, with this becoming a staple of the racer's career. Senna raced with Lotus for a second season in 1987, although his less-then-stellar performance led to him deciding to leave Lotus at the end of the season.

Best Movies On Netflix December 2024
Related
30 Best Movies On Netflix Right Now (December 2024)

From Godzilla Minus One to Under Paris and The Gentlemen, here are our picks for the best movies on Netflix for everyone to enjoy this month.

1

Senna joined the McLaren team in 1988, with this also leading to the beginnings of Senna's rivalry with Prost. The duo had several fierce races, with 1988 featuring Senna's first Formula One world championship win. Senna raced with McLaren again in 1989, which featured Senna and Prost's continued rivalry, as well as 1990, which featured Senna's second world championship win. Senna won the world championship again in 1991, making him the youngest back-to-back and three-time world championship winner.

Senna continued racing with McLaren in 1992 and 1993. After Prost retired, Senna joined the Williams team in 1994. After driving in several races, Senna competed in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. During lap 7, Senna's car left the racing line and ran into a concrete wall. The accident caused Senna's death soon after the collision, with this being the tragic end to the beloved driver's life as seen in Netflix's Senna.