Paolo Marcacci writes in the book 'Senna vs Prost, the duel': “Because ultimately the Monte Carlo Grand Prix is only the social celebration of the unexpected; when Formula One feels forced to distract itself and for once all the most delicate calculations and parameters go out the window. If then it rains, then it can happen that... Better to tell it as if we were in apnea; after all, in addition to the most anomalous race of all, on 3 June 1984 in Monte Carlo the cars also ran the risk of drowning. But there is one that would continue forever”.
When you talk about the Brazilian it is inevitable that the discussion also ends up on the "Professor". But for me Ayrton also means the deep friendship with Angelo Orsi. And so I'm also going to take up the words of the photojournalist from the Autosprint special dedicated to the thirtieth anniversary of Ayrton's first world title.
<He got there in F.1 with Toleman. Every Thursday before the GP I took a lap of the track on foot, in reverse, to understand the most beautiful and clever positions for taking photos and Senna got into the habit of coming with me. He studied every centimeter, dissected it. In Monte Carlo we did four laps on foot, maybe more.
Finally, at Loews, he became serious and said, “Angel. I'll set the best time tomorrow." Free practice started thirty minutes ago. The loudspeaker crackles, the announcer clears his throat, almost as if to say something unexpected, but I already know what: "Best time, Senna over Toleman!". He felt the asphalt, felt the consistency of every escape route>>.
Although in qualifying the results were less brilliant: Ayrton started in thirteenth place. Senna won that race, or rather he didn't. The Brazilian was the victim of the final chaos. The Paulista, in the pouring rain, climbed all the positions until arriving behind Alain Prost who was leading the group with difficulty. The latter, on lap 31, asked with broad gestures to stop the race. One pass later, director Jacky Ickx did so and displayed the red flag as Senna passed the pacesetter Alain Prost.
Ickx also showed the black one and a commissioner at his side was handling the checkered one: total confusion. It was not clear whether the race would resume or not. This didn't happen and the ranking was drawn up on the basis of the results of round 31. Prost won a GP with a halved score, but from that moment a legend was born.
It was 1984, the year “Purple Rain” was published. And it was precisely in that season that he began to become the rain wizard. Oh yes, today is the fortieth anniversary of that Monaco Grand Prix which launched Ayrton Senna among the greatest of the Formula 1.
Crediti foto: F1