Silverstone's display of Senna cars wins award

Ayrton Senna celebrates winning the European Grand Prix at Donnington in 1993, holding a Brazilian flag behind his head.Image source, PA Media
Image caption,

Brazilian Ayrton Senna is known as one of the greatest F1 drivers

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The largest collection of race cars driven by Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna, which was on display earlier this year, has won a prestigious award.

It was at the Silverstone Festival in Northamptonshire in August and featured more than 25 exhibits spanning Senna's career.

The exhibition won Motoring Spectacle of the Year at the Royal Automobile Club's Historic Awards.

Event director Nick Wigley said he was "proud to have celebrated Ayrton Senna with such an incredible display".

Image source, Silverstone Festival
Image caption,

More than 40 cars from Senna's career were on show

The annual festival at Silverstone Circuit marked 30 years since Senna's death.

The Brazilian won three F1 championships, but died following an accident in the San Marino Grand Prix in May 1994.

Senna made his F1 debut in a Toleman TG183B a decade earlier, eventually scoring his first World Championship points in the car.

The driver won 41 races, including the 1988 British Grand Prix at Silverstone - the year he also won the first of his F1 world titles.

Image source, Silverstone Festival
Image caption,

Senna's nephew Bruno Senna and niece Lalalli Senna were at the festival for the display

Organised with the Senna family, the display included karts from the driver's early years, junior single-seaters and 11 Formula 1 cars from his time with the Toleman, Lotus, McLaren and Williams teams.

Mr Wigley said: "Paying tribute to a 30-year legacy was a poignant anniversary and highlighted how brightly Ayrton's incredible impression on motorsport still shines."

The Royal Automobile Club, which was formed in 1897, introduced its Historic Awards in 2019 alongside the events it runs throughout the year, including Goodwood Revival.

Image source, Silverstone Festival
Image caption,

Items of memorabilia from Senna's career were also on display at the Silverstone Festival

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