F1 | GP Monaco 1984: the world of Formula One knows the talent of Ayrton Senna

Monte Carlo represents the path of destinies for several drivers, who have known glory and fame in the Principality. In this small circle, the name of Ayrton Senna stands out, without a shadow of a doubt. The late Brazilian driver in fact wrote indelible pages of history in Formula One on the streets of the Principality, as demonstrated by the (still unbeaten) records of victories and pole positions.

The prologue of this perfect union between Senna and Monaco takes place on a rainy Sunday at the beginning of June, the 3rd to be exact, where the Paulista shows off a great performance in the wet which allows him to take his first career podium in the sixth race in Circus.

Until the masterpiece race in Monte Carlo, Senna was a young man with great hopes who appeared on the racing scene top-class in the 1984 season aboard the uncompetitive Toleman. Qualifying in the Principality also underlined the technical weakness expressed by the British single-seater, with Senna taking the 13th fastest time, ahead of teammate Johnny Cecotto by more than eight tenths.

But in the race, the following day, the Brazilian can count on a precious ally: the rain, which over the course of his career would "escort" him in all his undertakings. In fact, a violent downpour hit the Principality in the morning, forcing the race management to delay the start of the GP... which, given the particular situation, appears to be a "direct elimination".

In fact, there are several drivers, even among the most famous, who are forced to raise the white flag or run in defense, preserving the single-seater from unnecessary risks, while Senna, absolutely not affected by the extreme conditions in which the track finds itself, implements a great comeback, with noteworthy overtaking, which takes him even behind race leader Alain Prost on lap number 19.

A normal driver could have been satisfied with second place, but not one of the caliber and winning DNA like Senna who continues to push, recovering several seconds on the Frenchman's McLaren, seeing the possibility of the "big shot".

But at the best moment for the Brazilian, the race director, the former driver Jacky Ickx, also at the suggestion of Prost, who from the cockpit of his car called the attention of the commissioners for the difficult weather conditions, decided to interrupt the race .

The red flag therefore denies Senna, the moral winner of that race, a great, very great chance, who has to settle for second place. As a sign of protest, the Brazilian raises his right arm on the lap back to the pits, expressing all his discontent with the decision taken by the team. race direction.

But that Sunday the myth began to take shape, presenting itself in grand style to the world of Formula One, decreeing the birth of a star among the impervious streets of the Principality.