Ayrton Senna and the Ferrari Connection Part 2 : 1986
Ayrton's visit to Maranello and Enzo Ferrari doubts
enzo ferrari"Senna came here after the Belgian Grand Prix but for 1987 we did not reach any agreement. However, I remain confident that we may try again in the future"
Since 1985 Senna was driving for Lotus, winning his first GPs victories and pole positions. He was now considered as one of the best and his nickname "Magic" was already well deserved. Showing impressives skills and a speed rarely seen before him, Senna was the most sought after driver. His two years deal with Lotus was coming to an end at the end of the season and Senna was looking for his best option fo 87.
Ferrari, after a good 1985 season (where Michele Alboreto finished runner up behind new world champion Alain Prost on McLaren), was having a hell of a time in 86. No wins, no reliability and hardly any podium. Completely outclassed by the 3 big english team (McLaren, Williams and Lotus) something has to be done to put the "Reds" back on track again.
Just after the Belgian GP at Spa Francorchamps (a race that Senna won in 85) at the end of may, Senna, who had already won the Spanish GP earlier that season, was invited by Enzo Ferrari himself to come to Maranello to visit the Ferrari factory, the Scuderia headquarter and to have a personnal meeting with him.
Ayrton Senna and Piero Lardi Ferrari (son of Enzo Ferrari) at Imola in 85. Relations between Senna and members of the italian team were always good as he was speaking italian. He had learned it during his karting years in Italy during the late 70's.
Of course Senna accepted the invitation (who would refuse ?) and came to Maranello to meet the "Commandatore". Ayrton loved Ferrari and as almost every driver in the world, wanted to drive for them. (He himself talk about Ferrari in some of the video of his first F1 test in 1983 with Williams, McLaren and Toleman).
Enzo said in the italian press after their meeting : "Senna came here after the Belgian Grand Prix but for 1987 we did not reach any agreement. However, I remain confident that we may try again in the future". Strangely enough in the same statement he added : "He is without a doubt a great driver, but I am not convinced on the man "
For those who knows a bit of Ferrari history, you have to understand that (sadly) Enzo didn't wanted Senna in his Scuderia. It may have been a bitter desapointement for Senna at the time, but knowing what Ferrari did in 87 and 88, and what Senna did these same years, I suppose he had no regret at all. END of part 2.
Read Part 3 here : drivetribe.com/p/ayrton-senna-and-the-ferrari-connection-OZ3sjKnsQYGfylWg4_YSpw?iid=R7jEdUGEQhCp-b4AMr_72g
Monaco 85 or 86 (couldn't find the exact year) Giovani Agnelli (FIAT president at the time and owner of Ferrari) Luca Di Montezemolo (ex Ferrari Team Manager in 75) and Ayrton Senna having a chat.
Here is a rare picture I found of Ayrton Senna posing with a 1984 Ferrari GTO in the mid 80's.
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