This years Silverstone Festival to honour Ayrton Senna

The Brazilian driver died in 1994.

Brazilian Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna
Published 23rd Feb 2024

It's been revealed this summer’s Silverstone Festival (23-25 August) at the circuit near Banbury will honour one of motor sport’s most iconic drivers: Ayrton Senna.

In a record-breaking career, the legendary Brazilian scored more race wins at Silverstone than at any other circuit in the world.

With the full support of the Senna family, the Festival is assembling what it hopes will be the biggest and best collection of cars raced by the triple World Champion ever to be brought together in one place.

This incredible display will feature many of Senna’s revered racers from Formula 1 as well as from his earlier formative years in a fitting celebration of his legacy.

It is 40 years since the young Brazilian burst onto the F1 scene with the Toleman team in 1984 and 30 years since the tragic accident when racing at Imola on Sunday 1st May 1994.

Senna left an indelible mark on Formula 1 in his 10-year career, winning 41 Grands Prix with Lotus and then with McLaren, the team with which he took three World Championship titles.

Senna is still hailed as one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers and revered right around the world by drivers and fans alike.

The Brazilian’s record at Silverstone is every bit as impressive. Although he only managed to win the British Grand Prix once – with McLaren in 1988 – he racked up more victories on the superfast Northamptonshire circuit than at any other track during his entire formula racing career.

Nick Wigley, Silverstone Festival Event Director.

“There could be no better circuit to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Ayrton Senna than Silverstone,”

“Ayrton won ten times from his 20 starts at Silverstone and we will honour that extraordinary success with the biggest and best collection of Senna cars ever displayed together. We are deeply privileged to have the full support of the Senna family and will be working with them to ensure this very special celebration honours one of the sport’s greatest stars in fitting and fantastic style.”

They'll be a Fan Zone featuring F1 team show cars, high energy stunt shows in the Shift & Drift Zone, a Foodie Fest with chef demos and Tasting Tent masterclasses, and live music on all three evenings.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor tops the bill on Friday evening, followed by Brit Award-winning Busted on Saturday and celebrated singer, songwriter and television personality, Olly Murs on Sunday. First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.