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April 29, 2024 • 2hr 28min
Special episode with Dax Shepard: F1 and the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s death
The Peter Attia Drive
This special episode of The Drive podcast features Peter Attia discussing his fascination with Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna with his friend Dax Shepard. The conversation covers Senna's life, career, impact on the sport, and tragic death, providing insight into why Senna remains such an iconic and revered figure 30 years after his passing. Attia, a longtime F1 fan, shares his extensive knowledge and personal connection to Senna's story.
Special episode with Dax Shepard: F1 and the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s death
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Key Takeaways
- Ayrton Senna is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, known for his incredible skill, especially in qualifying and wet conditions
- Senna won 3 World Championships (1988, 1990, 1991) and had 65 pole positions in just 161 races
- He was killed in a crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at the age of 34, which had a profound impact on F1 safety
- Senna was a national hero in Brazil and remains an iconic figure in motorsport 30 years after his death
- His driving style was unique, including techniques like "stabbing" the throttle coming out of corners
- Beyond his racing skill, Senna was known for his intensity, competitiveness, and religious faith
- Peter Attia considers Senna the greatest F1 driver ever, though acknowledges it's difficult to compare across eras
- Senna's death at his peak has contributed to his legendary status, leaving questions about what more he could have achieved
Introduction
This special episode of The Drive podcast features Peter Attia discussing his fascination with Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna with his friend Dax Shepard. The conversation covers Senna's life, career, impact on the sport, and tragic death, providing insight into why Senna remains such an iconic and revered figure 30 years after his passing. Attia, a longtime F1 fan, shares his extensive knowledge and personal connection to Senna's story.
Topics Discussed
Peter's Interest in Motorsports (2:30)
Peter explains that he grew up in Canada, where motorsport was quite popular. He became interested in Formula 1 and IndyCar racing in the 1980s:
- Attended races like the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal as a kid
- Had posters of race cars and boxers on his walls growing up
- Started watching F1 regularly in the late 1980s
The Drama and Dangers of F1 (6:00)
They discuss how F1 was much more dangerous in previous eras:
- From the mid-1960s to early 1980s, F1 was a "killing field" with 2-4 driver deaths per year on average
- Safety has improved dramatically since then, though risks still exist
- Peter notes it's hard to convey to new fans how deadly the sport used to be
What Made Senna Special (13:00)
Peter outlines some of the key factors that set Senna apart as a driver:
- Incredible qualifying pace - 65 pole positions in just 161 races
- Unmatched skill in wet conditions
- Intense competitiveness and will to win
- Unique driving techniques like "stabbing" the throttle
- Strong technical understanding and ability to develop cars
"Senna had a habit of when he was coming out of a corner...when he came on throttle, he was stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab. And then on full." - Peter Attia
What Senna Meant to Brazilians (24:00)
They discuss Senna's status as a national hero in Brazil:
- Senna was a source of pride and inspiration for Brazilians during difficult times
- His death was like "JFK, 9/11 combined" for Brazilians over 35
- The entire country would stop to watch him race on Sundays
- Senna was very proud of Brazil and always raced with the Brazilian flag
The Cause of the Fatal Crash (28:15)
Peter provides his perspective on what caused Senna's fatal crash at Imola in 1994:
- Doesn't believe the commonly held view that steering column failure was the cause
- Thinks Senna lost rear grip, counter-steered, regained grip suddenly and shot off the track
- Notes Senna was pushing extremely hard in a difficult car he wasn't comfortable with
- Crash occurred at around 190 mph into a concrete wall
Why Peter is Obsessed with Senna (40:30)
Peter reflects on why he remains so fascinated by Senna:
- Admires Senna's intensity, skill, and willingness to push limits
- Appreciates that Senna was flawed and human, not perfect
- Inspired by Senna's pride in Brazil and charitable work
- Feels Senna's story is compelling beyond just his racing achievements
Being the Best vs Having the Best Record (43:30)
They discuss how Senna is considered the greatest despite not having the most championships or wins:
- Peter argues raw statistics don't tell the full story
- Compares Senna to NFL running back Barry Sanders - not the statistical leader but considered by many as the best ever
- Notes Senna only had the best car for 4 of his 10 seasons
Senna's Unique Driving Style and Engineering Intuition (46:30)
Peter elaborates on what made Senna's driving special:
- Unconventional throttle technique coming out of corners
- Exceptional car control and feel for the limits
- Strong technical understanding to help develop cars
- Ability to give very detailed feedback to engineers
The Day of the Dreadful Race (53:00)
They discuss the events leading up to Senna's fatal crash at Imola in 1994:
- Rubens Barrichello had a bad crash in practice on Friday
- Roland Ratzenberger was killed in qualifying on Saturday
- Senna was very upset and didn't want to race on Sunday
- He felt compelled to race for the people of Brazil
- Senna had an Austrian flag in his car to honor Ratzenberger
What Peter Believes Caused the Crash (1:02:45)
Peter reiterates and expands on his theory of what caused Senna's crash:
- Loss of rear grip due to bottoming out or cold tires
- Senna counter-steered but car regained grip suddenly
- This shot him straight off the track at high speed
- Doesn't believe steering column failure was the cause
Views on Dying Young in the Prime of Life (1:13:00)
They have a philosophical discussion about athletes dying young:
- Senna lived an incredibly full life in his 34 years
- His early death contributes to his legendary status
- But it leaves questions of what more he could have achieved
Senna's Legacy in His Foundation and F1 Safety (1:21:00)
They discuss Senna's ongoing impact:
- The Senna Foundation has given over $500 million to education in Brazil
- His death led to immediate and lasting safety improvements in F1
- He remains an iconic figure in motorsport 30 years later
Why People Like Who They Do in Sports (1:24:15)
They reflect on why certain athletes become fan favorites:
- It's not just about statistics - personality and style matter
- Senna had a compelling persona beyond just his racing skill
- His intensity and willingness to push limits appealed to many fans
The Biggest Difference in F1 Today vs the 80s (1:28:30)
Peter explains a key change in F1 over the decades:
- In the 80s/90s, success was about 50% car, 50% driver
- Today it's more like 75-80% car, 20-25% driver
- Much harder for a great driver to overcome an inferior car now
Senna's Driving Superpower (1:30:30)
They discuss what made Senna so exceptional behind the wheel:
- Incredible car control and feel for the limits
- Ability to drive extremely fast in wet conditions
- Strong technical understanding to extract maximum performance
- Intense focus and willingness to take risks
The Fastest Drivers Currently in F1 (1:38:30)
Peter gives his view on the top drivers in F1 today:
- Max Verstappen is the fastest by quite a margin
- Fernando Alonso is likely second fastest
- Notes it's hard to compare across different cars
What Senna Might Have Done if He Hadn't Died (2:14:00)
They speculate on what Senna's future could have held:
- Likely would have won 3-4 more championships with Williams
- May have retired around age 37-38
- Some think he could have gone into politics in Brazil
- Would have remained an influential figure in F1 and Brazil
Conclusion
This wide-ranging conversation provides deep insight into why Ayrton Senna remains such a revered and iconic figure in Formula 1 and beyond, 30 years after his death. Peter Attia's extensive knowledge and personal connection to Senna's story helps illuminate what made Senna special as a driver and as a person. While acknowledging it's difficult to compare across eras, Attia makes a compelling case for why he considers Senna the greatest F1 driver of all time. The discussion touches on Senna's incredible skill, his impact on Brazil and the sport of F1, the circumstances of his tragic death, and his enduring legacy. For both longtime F1 fans and those less familiar with Senna's story, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of motorsport's most legendary figures.