Tell us if you met Ayrton Senna - share your stories
Discussion
There is obviously loads of stuff around given the 25th anniversary is today, but I find most of it either dwells too much on Imola 1994 or I've read or heard it before.
So, I thought I'd start this topic and urge people to share their stories of how they met Ayrton Senna - however trivial, brief, unexpected or otherwise, just tell your tales...
I'll start things off...I 'met' him several times, the first being slightly bizarre in that he walked into the public toilets in the paddock at Silverstone, when the toilet block was near the pedestrian bridge on the 'old' start/finish straight. This was during F1 testing in June 1990.
So Senna walked into the toilet block, wearing his McLaren Honda race suit...I was already standing doing my business...I didn't speak to him as I wouldn't normally start talking to someone in the toilets.
I met him again in 1991 during June F1 testing when he autographed a photo I'd taken of him in 1990. My pen didn't work properly but never mind. I wished him luck for the race and shook his hand. He said thanks, which was nice as there was a sea of people all trying to get him to sign things too.
Then I met him again the next day when he was driving a silver Honda NSX around the circuit, first with a journalist, then with a photographer. This was for an article in Autocar magazine which came out a week or 2 later.
One thing that struck me each time I met him (apart from when in the toilet) was he would always pose for photos/sign autographs with children first.
So my brief 'meetings' with Senna are maybe a bit dull...hopefully there are some interesting tales to be told.
So, I thought I'd start this topic and urge people to share their stories of how they met Ayrton Senna - however trivial, brief, unexpected or otherwise, just tell your tales...
I'll start things off...I 'met' him several times, the first being slightly bizarre in that he walked into the public toilets in the paddock at Silverstone, when the toilet block was near the pedestrian bridge on the 'old' start/finish straight. This was during F1 testing in June 1990.
So Senna walked into the toilet block, wearing his McLaren Honda race suit...I was already standing doing my business...I didn't speak to him as I wouldn't normally start talking to someone in the toilets.
I met him again in 1991 during June F1 testing when he autographed a photo I'd taken of him in 1990. My pen didn't work properly but never mind. I wished him luck for the race and shook his hand. He said thanks, which was nice as there was a sea of people all trying to get him to sign things too.
Then I met him again the next day when he was driving a silver Honda NSX around the circuit, first with a journalist, then with a photographer. This was for an article in Autocar magazine which came out a week or 2 later.
One thing that struck me each time I met him (apart from when in the toilet) was he would always pose for photos/sign autographs with children first.
So my brief 'meetings' with Senna are maybe a bit dull...hopefully there are some interesting tales to be told.
BlimeyCharlie said:
I 'met' him several times, the first being slightly bizarre in that he walked into the public toilets in the paddock at Silverstone, when the toilet block was near the pedestrian bridge on the 'old' start/finish straight. This was during F1 testing in June 1990.
So Senna walked into the toilet block, wearing his McLaren Honda race suit...I was already standing doing my business...I didn't speak to him as I wouldn't normally start talking to someone in the toilets.
I met him again in 1991 during June F1 testing when he autographed a photo I'd taken of him in 1990. My pen didn't work properly but never mind.
You asked him to autograph a photograph you took of him having a slash So Senna walked into the toilet block, wearing his McLaren Honda race suit...I was already standing doing my business...I didn't speak to him as I wouldn't normally start talking to someone in the toilets.
I met him again in 1991 during June F1 testing when he autographed a photo I'd taken of him in 1990. My pen didn't work properly but never mind.
Oh, and is “pen” a typo or a euphemism
I like to tell colleagues at work about the day Senna crashed into me at Silverstone. I think it was 1992 we were spectators ant it was a typical freezing Silverstone morning. Because a friend hadn't bought a jacket we ended up walking round the circuit to keep warm, ending up in an awful pit straight spectators point just before copse but unable to see the corner. But looking straight into the sun (lost about 4 layers of skin due to sunburn) Senna stopped in the McLaren about becketts and was walking back, deciding to duck under the barriers where he crashed, ok bumped into me. Because of the terrible place we were watching I had tied my camera to the barrier, and by the time I had untied it he had gone.
Can't recall the exact year but blagged my way into the pits for tyre testing at Brands using an old Marshall's pass (I Marshalled startline for Rallycross at Brands Hatch) and snapped this pic of Senna (and notice Peter Warr looking on. Also, the cap in the blue pullover in the near distance is Chico Serra, one season in F1 and few in Indy Cars IIRC):
Later in the day, I asked for his autograph and he noticed my pass and we got chatting about Rallycross. I explained the route of the course at Brands Hatch which he seemed interested in.
Fast foward to 1991 and I'd set up a small art publishing business. We'd recently launched a limited run print of Nigel Mansell which he signed each copy. That went very well and Fast Frame commissioned us to publish other F1 prints. First on the list was Senna. The painting was awesome and we approached McLaren to see if Senna would sign them. A modest fee was agreed and I was asked to bring the prints to Silverstone during a test session when Senna would sign them. That's when I took this pic:
Was introduced to Senna and showed him one of the prints which he said he liked. Also reminded him of when we met previously at Brands which he claimed he remembered.
I was hanging around all day and finally the McLaren marketing chap said that they had some detailed briefing that would take a while to do and could I instead bring the prints to the factory the following week. No problem.
Turned up at the factory at the agreed time to be met by a sheepish looking marketing chap who explained that Senna had recently signed a new contract with a management firm (IMG, IIRC) and that they were now arranging all his promotional affairs. The £6k signing fee that we'd previously agreed (which was to go to a charity of Senna's choosing) instead became £30k to go the management firm's coffers. This rendered the prints completely untenable commercially. We'd also printed Senna's name where he was going to sign them so had to bin the run.
A week later, the marketing chap called me to say that he had spoken to Ron Dennis about the matter. He was apparently very angry with the situation and felt Senna/IMG should have honoured the original agreement but there was little that could be done. By way of appeasement, Ron Said that if we re-printed them, he'd sign them for a smaller fee (also going to a charity). This we did and then ended up selling very well.
Later in the day, I asked for his autograph and he noticed my pass and we got chatting about Rallycross. I explained the route of the course at Brands Hatch which he seemed interested in.
Fast foward to 1991 and I'd set up a small art publishing business. We'd recently launched a limited run print of Nigel Mansell which he signed each copy. That went very well and Fast Frame commissioned us to publish other F1 prints. First on the list was Senna. The painting was awesome and we approached McLaren to see if Senna would sign them. A modest fee was agreed and I was asked to bring the prints to Silverstone during a test session when Senna would sign them. That's when I took this pic:
Was introduced to Senna and showed him one of the prints which he said he liked. Also reminded him of when we met previously at Brands which he claimed he remembered.
I was hanging around all day and finally the McLaren marketing chap said that they had some detailed briefing that would take a while to do and could I instead bring the prints to the factory the following week. No problem.
Turned up at the factory at the agreed time to be met by a sheepish looking marketing chap who explained that Senna had recently signed a new contract with a management firm (IMG, IIRC) and that they were now arranging all his promotional affairs. The £6k signing fee that we'd previously agreed (which was to go to a charity of Senna's choosing) instead became £30k to go the management firm's coffers. This rendered the prints completely untenable commercially. We'd also printed Senna's name where he was going to sign them so had to bin the run.
A week later, the marketing chap called me to say that he had spoken to Ron Dennis about the matter. He was apparently very angry with the situation and felt Senna/IMG should have honoured the original agreement but there was little that could be done. By way of appeasement, Ron Said that if we re-printed them, he'd sign them for a smaller fee (also going to a charity). This we did and then ended up selling very well.
BlimeyCharlie said:
There is obviously loads of stuff around given the 25th anniversary is today, but I find most of it either dwells too much on Imola 1994 or I've read or heard it before.
So, I thought I'd start this topic and urge people to share their stories of how they met Ayrton Senna - however trivial, brief, unexpected or otherwise, just tell your tales...
I'll start things off...I 'met' him several times, the first being slightly bizarre in that he walked into the public toilets in the paddock at Silverstone, when the toilet block was near the pedestrian bridge on the 'old' start/finish straight. This was during F1 testing in June 1990.
So Senna walked into the toilet block, wearing his McLaren Honda race suit...I was already standing doing my business...I didn't speak to him as I wouldn't normally start talking to someone in the toilets.
I met him again in 1991 during June F1 testing when he autographed a photo I'd taken of him in 1990. My pen didn't work properly but never mind. I wished him luck for the race and shook his hand. He said thanks, which was nice as there was a sea of people all trying to get him to sign things too.
Then I met him again the next day when he was driving a silver Honda NSX around the circuit, first with a journalist, then with a photographer. This was for an article in Autocar magazine which came out a week or 2 later.
One thing that struck me each time I met him (apart from when in the toilet) was he would always pose for photos/sign autographs with children first.
So my brief 'meetings' with Senna are maybe a bit dull...hopefully there are some interesting tales to be told.
Could you imagine Senna going to a public toilet in 2019? Or any driver. So, I thought I'd start this topic and urge people to share their stories of how they met Ayrton Senna - however trivial, brief, unexpected or otherwise, just tell your tales...
I'll start things off...I 'met' him several times, the first being slightly bizarre in that he walked into the public toilets in the paddock at Silverstone, when the toilet block was near the pedestrian bridge on the 'old' start/finish straight. This was during F1 testing in June 1990.
So Senna walked into the toilet block, wearing his McLaren Honda race suit...I was already standing doing my business...I didn't speak to him as I wouldn't normally start talking to someone in the toilets.
I met him again in 1991 during June F1 testing when he autographed a photo I'd taken of him in 1990. My pen didn't work properly but never mind. I wished him luck for the race and shook his hand. He said thanks, which was nice as there was a sea of people all trying to get him to sign things too.
Then I met him again the next day when he was driving a silver Honda NSX around the circuit, first with a journalist, then with a photographer. This was for an article in Autocar magazine which came out a week or 2 later.
One thing that struck me each time I met him (apart from when in the toilet) was he would always pose for photos/sign autographs with children first.
So my brief 'meetings' with Senna are maybe a bit dull...hopefully there are some interesting tales to be told.
Brilliant story.
StevieBee said:
Can't recall the exact year but blagged my way into the pits for tyre testing at Brands using an old Marshall's pass (I Marshalled startline for Rallycross at Brands Hatch) and snapped this pic of Senna (and notice Peter Warr looking on. Also, the cap in the blue pullover in the near distance is Chico Serra, one season in F1 and few in Indy Cars IIRC):
Later in the day, I asked for his autograph and he noticed my pass and we got chatting about Rallycross. I explained the route of the course at Brands Hatch which he seemed interested in.
Fast foward to 1991 and I'd set up a small art publishing business. We'd recently launched a limited run print of Nigel Mansell which he signed each copy. That went very well and Fast Frame commissioned us to publish other F1 prints. First on the list was Senna. The painting was awesome and we approached McLaren to see if Senna would sign them. A modest fee was agreed and I was asked to bring the prints to Silverstone during a test session when Senna would sign them. That's when I took this pic:
Was introduced to Senna and showed him one of the prints which he said he liked. Also reminded him of when we met previously at Brands which he claimed he remembered.
I was hanging around all day and finally the McLaren marketing chap said that they had some detailed briefing that would take a while to do and could I instead bring the prints to the factory the following week. No problem.
Turned up at the factory at the agreed time to be met by a sheepish looking marketing chap who explained that Senna had recently signed a new contract with a management firm (IMG, IIRC) and that they were now arranging all his promotional affairs. The £6k signing fee that we'd previously agreed (which was to go to a charity of Senna's choosing) instead became £30k to go the management firm's coffers. This rendered the prints completely untenable commercially. We'd also printed Senna's name where he was going to sign them so had to bin the run.
A week later, the marketing chap called me to say that he had spoken to Ron Dennis about the matter. He was apparently very angry with the situation and felt Senna/IMG should have honoured the original agreement but there was little that could be done. By way of appeasement, Ron Said that if we re-printed them, he'd sign them for a smaller fee (also going to a charity). This we did and then ended up selling very well.
Amazing pictures and a fantastic story. Very sad about the prints. Great Ron stepped up but IMG should have honoured the agreed terms. It's all about the money Later in the day, I asked for his autograph and he noticed my pass and we got chatting about Rallycross. I explained the route of the course at Brands Hatch which he seemed interested in.
Fast foward to 1991 and I'd set up a small art publishing business. We'd recently launched a limited run print of Nigel Mansell which he signed each copy. That went very well and Fast Frame commissioned us to publish other F1 prints. First on the list was Senna. The painting was awesome and we approached McLaren to see if Senna would sign them. A modest fee was agreed and I was asked to bring the prints to Silverstone during a test session when Senna would sign them. That's when I took this pic:
Was introduced to Senna and showed him one of the prints which he said he liked. Also reminded him of when we met previously at Brands which he claimed he remembered.
I was hanging around all day and finally the McLaren marketing chap said that they had some detailed briefing that would take a while to do and could I instead bring the prints to the factory the following week. No problem.
Turned up at the factory at the agreed time to be met by a sheepish looking marketing chap who explained that Senna had recently signed a new contract with a management firm (IMG, IIRC) and that they were now arranging all his promotional affairs. The £6k signing fee that we'd previously agreed (which was to go to a charity of Senna's choosing) instead became £30k to go the management firm's coffers. This rendered the prints completely untenable commercially. We'd also printed Senna's name where he was going to sign them so had to bin the run.
A week later, the marketing chap called me to say that he had spoken to Ron Dennis about the matter. He was apparently very angry with the situation and felt Senna/IMG should have honoured the original agreement but there was little that could be done. By way of appeasement, Ron Said that if we re-printed them, he'd sign them for a smaller fee (also going to a charity). This we did and then ended up selling very well.
ELUSIVEJIM said:
Could you imagine Senna going to a public toilet in 2019? Or any driver.
Brilliant story.
Apparently Lewis throws a strop if anyone even uses his....Brilliant story.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/lewis-ham...
ELUSIVEJIM said:
Amazing pictures and a fantastic story. Very sad about the prints. Great Ron stepped up but IMG should have honoured the agreed terms. It's all about the money
Cheers! I never met Ron for the print signing - just couriered them (with the cheque) to Woking and they couriered them back. I send him a letter of thanks.A year later, I was at another F1 test (by this time we'd worked our way down the pecking order a bit!) but approached Ron to thank him personally. We chatted for about 10 minutes. He apologised again for the 'IMG thing'. I've met a few 'famous' people over the years and most are only interested in you if you are interested in them. Ron was genuinely interested in what we were doing, how it was going, who the artist was, who I was..... For this reason I hold a more benevolent view of him than many.
StevieBee said:
Cheers! I never met Ron for the print signing - just couriered them (with the cheque) to Woking and they couriered them back. I send him a letter of thanks.
A year later, I was at another F1 test (by this time we'd worked our way down the pecking order a bit!) but approached Ron to thank him personally. We chatted for about 10 minutes. He apologised again for the 'IMG thing'. I've met a few 'famous' people over the years and most are only interested in you if you are interested in them. Ron was genuinely interested in what we were doing, how it was going, who the artist was, who I was..... For this reason, I hold a more benevolent view of him than many.
It was great he did that after the costs involved trying to get the Senna signature. Senna always seemed very into helping charities out. Did he know what was going on or was it a fact that IMG had the control of that side of things?A year later, I was at another F1 test (by this time we'd worked our way down the pecking order a bit!) but approached Ron to thank him personally. We chatted for about 10 minutes. He apologised again for the 'IMG thing'. I've met a few 'famous' people over the years and most are only interested in you if you are interested in them. Ron was genuinely interested in what we were doing, how it was going, who the artist was, who I was..... For this reason, I hold a more benevolent view of him than many.
Do you still run the small art publishing business?
The pictures you took of Senna above are great. The close up of him in the Lotus especially. The McLaren just looks very cool.
Again thank you for sharing
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 2nd May 17:53
Used to work for Shell in the research centre that supplied all the fuels and oils for Mclaren and at the end of the season (probably 1990) when they had won the constructors championship then Ron Dennis, Senna and Gerhard Berger came to visit the site.
I was only a student but I was looking after one of the engine tests that supported the F1 work and so was invited to meet them. Never spoke to him but shook their hands and was also part of the tour around the test cells.
The engine was running at a lowing rpm while they were there and Senna just walked in the test cell and started looking around the engine with no safety glasses or anything and nobody said a word !
Was a great experience for a 20 year old !
I was only a student but I was looking after one of the engine tests that supported the F1 work and so was invited to meet them. Never spoke to him but shook their hands and was also part of the tour around the test cells.
The engine was running at a lowing rpm while they were there and Senna just walked in the test cell and started looking around the engine with no safety glasses or anything and nobody said a word !
Was a great experience for a 20 year old !
ELUSIVEJIM said:
It was great he did that after the costs involved trying to get the Senna signature. Senna always seemed very into helping charities out. Did he know what was going on or was it a fact that IMG had the control of that side of things?
Do you still run the small art publishing business?
The pictures you took of Senna above are great. The close up of him in the Lotus especially. The McLaren just looks very cool.
Again thank you for sharing
I seem to recall that the original deal was that the money we'd have paid Senna would have gone to his own fledgling charity. I have no idea what IMG would have done with it. Do you still run the small art publishing business?
The pictures you took of Senna above are great. The close up of him in the Lotus especially. The McLaren just looks very cool.
Again thank you for sharing
Edited by ELUSIVEJIM on Thursday 2nd May 17:53
Sadly the publishing business lasted two years. We were lured into bed by Fast Frame (a chain of framing shops who also sold prints). Got a bit of money up front (which paid for the driver signings) but they went bust and we never saw our prints again. Fun while it lasted and we didn't really loose any money.
Glad you like the pics. A few more from the same era here if you're interested: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenwbates/albums...
StevieBee said:
A few more from the same era here if you're interested: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenwbates/albums...
SuperbStevieBee said:
I seem to recall that the original deal was that the money we'd have paid Senna would have gone to his own fledgling charity. I have no idea what IMG would have done with it.
Sadly the publishing business lasted two years. We were lured into bed by Fast Frame (a chain of framing shops who also sold prints). Got a bit of money up front (which paid for the driver signings) but they went bust and we never saw our prints again. Fun while it lasted and we didn't really loose any money.
Glad you like the pics. A few more from the same era here if you're interested: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenwbates/albums...
WOW. Brilliant pictures. Thank you so much for sharing.Sadly the publishing business lasted two years. We were lured into bed by Fast Frame (a chain of framing shops who also sold prints). Got a bit of money up front (which paid for the driver signings) but they went bust and we never saw our prints again. Fun while it lasted and we didn't really loose any money.
Glad you like the pics. A few more from the same era here if you're interested: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenwbates/albums...
Exciting times
StevieBee said:
Can't recall the exact year but blagged my way into the pits for tyre testing at Brands using an old Marshall's pass (I Marshalled startline for Rallycross at Brands Hatch) and snapped this pic of Senna (and notice Peter Warr looking on. Also, the cap in the blue pullover in the near distance is Chico Serra, one season in F1 and few in Indy Cars IIRC):
Later in the day, I asked for his autograph and he noticed my pass and we got chatting about Rallycross. I explained the route of the course at Brands Hatch which he seemed interested in.
Fast foward to 1991 and I'd set up a small art publishing business. We'd recently launched a limited run print of Nigel Mansell which he signed each copy. That went very well and Fast Frame commissioned us to publish other F1 prints. First on the list was Senna. The painting was awesome and we approached McLaren to see if Senna would sign them. A modest fee was agreed and I was asked to bring the prints to Silverstone during a test session when Senna would sign them. That's when I took this pic:
Was introduced to Senna and showed him one of the prints which he said he liked. Also reminded him of when we met previously at Brands which he claimed he remembered.
I was hanging around all day and finally the McLaren marketing chap said that they had some detailed briefing that would take a while to do and could I instead bring the prints to the factory the following week. No problem.
Turned up at the factory at the agreed time to be met by a sheepish looking marketing chap who explained that Senna had recently signed a new contract with a management firm (IMG, IIRC) and that they were now arranging all his promotional affairs. The £6k signing fee that we'd previously agreed (which was to go to a charity of Senna's choosing) instead became £30k to go the management firm's coffers. This rendered the prints completely untenable commercially. We'd also printed Senna's name where he was going to sign them so had to bin the run.
A week later, the marketing chap called me to say that he had spoken to Ron Dennis about the matter. He was apparently very angry with the situation and felt Senna/IMG should have honoured the original agreement but there was little that could be done. By way of appeasement, Ron Said that if we re-printed them, he'd sign them for a smaller fee (also going to a charity). This we did and then ended up selling very well.
Peter Warr is MRS400s Uncle, we went down to spend the weekend with her Aunt last week.
Some of the stories etc and bits from his book the Lotus years.
Love to hear it.
Great pics also
Later in the day, I asked for his autograph and he noticed my pass and we got chatting about Rallycross. I explained the route of the course at Brands Hatch which he seemed interested in.
Fast foward to 1991 and I'd set up a small art publishing business. We'd recently launched a limited run print of Nigel Mansell which he signed each copy. That went very well and Fast Frame commissioned us to publish other F1 prints. First on the list was Senna. The painting was awesome and we approached McLaren to see if Senna would sign them. A modest fee was agreed and I was asked to bring the prints to Silverstone during a test session when Senna would sign them. That's when I took this pic:
Was introduced to Senna and showed him one of the prints which he said he liked. Also reminded him of when we met previously at Brands which he claimed he remembered.
I was hanging around all day and finally the McLaren marketing chap said that they had some detailed briefing that would take a while to do and could I instead bring the prints to the factory the following week. No problem.
Turned up at the factory at the agreed time to be met by a sheepish looking marketing chap who explained that Senna had recently signed a new contract with a management firm (IMG, IIRC) and that they were now arranging all his promotional affairs. The £6k signing fee that we'd previously agreed (which was to go to a charity of Senna's choosing) instead became £30k to go the management firm's coffers. This rendered the prints completely untenable commercially. We'd also printed Senna's name where he was going to sign them so had to bin the run.
A week later, the marketing chap called me to say that he had spoken to Ron Dennis about the matter. He was apparently very angry with the situation and felt Senna/IMG should have honoured the original agreement but there was little that could be done. By way of appeasement, Ron Said that if we re-printed them, he'd sign them for a smaller fee (also going to a charity). This we did and then ended up selling very well.
Peter Warr is MRS400s Uncle, we went down to spend the weekend with her Aunt last week.
Some of the stories etc and bits from his book the Lotus years.
Love to hear it.
Great pics also
StevieBee said:
Can't recall the exact year but blagged my way into the pits for tyre testing at Brands using an old Marshall's pass (I Marshalled startline for Rallycross at Brands Hatch) and snapped this pic of Senna (and notice Peter Warr looking on. Also, the cap in the blue pullover in the near distance is Chico Serra, one season in F1 and few in Indy Cars IIRC):
Later in the day, I asked for his autograph and he noticed my pass and we got chatting about Rallycross. I explained the route of the course at Brands Hatch which he seemed interested in.
Fast foward to 1991 and I'd set up a small art publishing business. We'd recently launched a limited run print of Nigel Mansell which he signed each copy. That went very well and Fast Frame commissioned us to publish other F1 prints. First on the list was Senna. The painting was awesome and we approached McLaren to see if Senna would sign them. A modest fee was agreed and I was asked to bring the prints to Silverstone during a test session when Senna would sign them. That's when I took this pic:
Was introduced to Senna and showed him one of the prints which he said he liked. Also reminded him of when we met previously at Brands which he claimed he remembered.
I was hanging around all day and finally the McLaren marketing chap said that they had some detailed briefing that would take a while to do and could I instead bring the prints to the factory the following week. No problem.
Turned up at the factory at the agreed time to be met by a sheepish looking marketing chap who explained that Senna had recently signed a new contract with a management firm (IMG, IIRC) and that they were now arranging all his promotional affairs. The £6k signing fee that we'd previously agreed (which was to go to a charity of Senna's choosing) instead became £30k to go the management firm's coffers. This rendered the prints completely untenable commercially. We'd also printed Senna's name where he was going to sign them so had to bin the run.
A week later, the marketing chap called me to say that he had spoken to Ron Dennis about the matter. He was apparently very angry with the situation and felt Senna/IMG should have honoured the original agreement but there was little that could be done. By way of appeasement, Ron Said that if we re-printed them, he'd sign them for a smaller fee (also going to a charity). This we did and then ended up selling very well.
Peter Warr is MRS400s Uncle, we went down to spend the weekend with her Aunt last week.
Some of the stories etc and bits from his book the Lotus years.
Love to hear it.
Great pics also
Later in the day, I asked for his autograph and he noticed my pass and we got chatting about Rallycross. I explained the route of the course at Brands Hatch which he seemed interested in.
Fast foward to 1991 and I'd set up a small art publishing business. We'd recently launched a limited run print of Nigel Mansell which he signed each copy. That went very well and Fast Frame commissioned us to publish other F1 prints. First on the list was Senna. The painting was awesome and we approached McLaren to see if Senna would sign them. A modest fee was agreed and I was asked to bring the prints to Silverstone during a test session when Senna would sign them. That's when I took this pic:
Was introduced to Senna and showed him one of the prints which he said he liked. Also reminded him of when we met previously at Brands which he claimed he remembered.
I was hanging around all day and finally the McLaren marketing chap said that they had some detailed briefing that would take a while to do and could I instead bring the prints to the factory the following week. No problem.
Turned up at the factory at the agreed time to be met by a sheepish looking marketing chap who explained that Senna had recently signed a new contract with a management firm (IMG, IIRC) and that they were now arranging all his promotional affairs. The £6k signing fee that we'd previously agreed (which was to go to a charity of Senna's choosing) instead became £30k to go the management firm's coffers. This rendered the prints completely untenable commercially. We'd also printed Senna's name where he was going to sign them so had to bin the run.
A week later, the marketing chap called me to say that he had spoken to Ron Dennis about the matter. He was apparently very angry with the situation and felt Senna/IMG should have honoured the original agreement but there was little that could be done. By way of appeasement, Ron Said that if we re-printed them, he'd sign them for a smaller fee (also going to a charity). This we did and then ended up selling very well.
Peter Warr is MRS400s Uncle, we went down to spend the weekend with her Aunt last week.
Some of the stories etc and bits from his book the Lotus years.
Love to hear it.
Great pics also
I only 'met' Senna a couple of times, just to ask for an autograph; he was happy enought to do it. Both times were at Silverstone tyre tests (usually in June before the French / British GP's). I went there for the '85, '89, 90, 91 & 92 tests. These are obviously scanned photos, so not the best quality.
This is from the '85 test, in the Lotus 97T:
These are from the '90 test, in the MP4/5B and MP4/5C:
Discussing the Honda V12 in the MP4/5C with Allan McNish:
With Berger and Ron Dennis:
Some random stuff from '90:
From '91, in the MP4/6:
And finally in the MP4/7A in '92:
I was never a particular fan of any driver, I was more interested in the cars. Even so, my interest declined after his death. The '94 BGP was my last.
This is from the '85 test, in the Lotus 97T:
These are from the '90 test, in the MP4/5B and MP4/5C:
Discussing the Honda V12 in the MP4/5C with Allan McNish:
With Berger and Ron Dennis:
Some random stuff from '90:
From '91, in the MP4/6:
And finally in the MP4/7A in '92:
I was never a particular fan of any driver, I was more interested in the cars. Even so, my interest declined after his death. The '94 BGP was my last.
dr_gn said:
I only 'met' Senna a couple of times, just to ask for an autograph; he was happy enought to do it. Both times were at Silverstone tyre tests (usually in June before the French / British GP's). I went there for the '85, '89, 90, 91 & 92 tests. These are obviously scanned photos, so not the best quality.
This is from the '85 test, in the Lotus 97T:
These are from the '90 test, in the MP4/5B and MP4/5C:
Discussing the Honda V12 in the MP4/5C with Allan McNish:
With Berger and Ron Dennis:
Some random stuff from '90:
From '91, in the MP4/6:
And finally in the MP4/7A in '92:
I was never a particular fan of any driver, I was more interested in the cars. Even so, my interest declined after his death. The '94 BGP was my last.
Amazing cars, driver and pictures.This is from the '85 test, in the Lotus 97T:
These are from the '90 test, in the MP4/5B and MP4/5C:
Discussing the Honda V12 in the MP4/5C with Allan McNish:
With Berger and Ron Dennis:
Some random stuff from '90:
From '91, in the MP4/6:
And finally in the MP4/7A in '92:
I was never a particular fan of any driver, I was more interested in the cars. Even so, my interest declined after his death. The '94 BGP was my last.
Must have been fantastic watching these tests back in the day. The access just wouldn't be possible now.
Thank you so much for sharing these gems.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 7th May 09:08
I "met" Senna once at an airport. I was only 3 so couldn't quite ask him about his gear shift aggression strategy, but from what my old man told me, we were sat waiting to board a plane, there was a bit of a furore nearby and it was Senna walking through the terminal. My dad gave me his (clean) hanky and mum's lipstick and sent me toddling off to get an autograph. Senna found a proper pen to sign the hanky with, and I wandered back to my parents very confused, but with signed hanky in hand. I still have it somewhere in a drawer.
Not quite as interesting as some of the other experiences on here, but an anecdote nonetheless.
Not quite as interesting as some of the other experiences on here, but an anecdote nonetheless.
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