Senna's unique driving style

[@BenCollinsDrives]

I’ve always been inspired by Senna and this video footage gives away so many secrets - hope you enjoy it 👊

[@Taylor___]

Just blows my mind how good Ben is as a broadcaster and spent all those years behind a mask.

[@adammoonface]

Came to the comments to sat the same thing. Such a great presenter.

[@claudiomarangone614]

Ha! And I as well! Ben, you’re so good at what you do !!

[@michaeltaylor8835]

who knew

[@jenkszy3684]

Wasn’t a mask, it was a helmet😂

[@kyleowen3371]

And yet he still became the one of the most if not the most recognised racing suit and driver..😂

[@jmfjcas6014]

Senna's time in F1 from 1984-94 symbolizes the golden and best era in F1. And this little f3 car was a symbolic entry into that era.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

It certainly was! Wonderful little car.

[@MrBillUp]

100% agree. the 80's and 90's I don't think will ever be repeated or surpassed.

[@tsj3025]

Not understanding the 'little car' references, this car is very close to the length and width of a modern day F1 car if not bigger and certainly 'taller'......

[@j_e_hill]

Fascinating about the radiator trick. Ayrton was so in tune with mechanical and technical advantages. A friend who was part of his team’s crew at Lotus told me about how Senna demanded that the team came up with a procedure to install a brand new turbocharger during qualifying, knowing that small particles and dust would render them less efficient by the last laps of the session, when the track was fastest. Great presentation, and what an immaculate collection shared in this video.

[@Tortex88]

Martin Brundle was a truly incredible driver. Doesn't get the credit he deserves.

[@smokeybirdman]

Yes he was, unfortunately he had that accident that destroyed his foot

[@BenCollinsDrives]

@@smokeybirdman think you mean Herbert

[@BenCollinsDrives]

agree - Martin could hustle

[@smokeybirdman]

@@BenCollinsDrives no, Brundle mate. 100%

[@woodsmaneh952]

Ben is the real deal. Love the stuff you and your team produce. Glad you're getting some traction - excuse the pun!

[@flyinghedgehog3833]

I was there at Thruxton .Remember standing next to Dick and Ayrton as they discussed in great detail the handling etc.I almost bought Mansilla's similar car but didn't have the budget to run it...had a one off race in March 803...thanks for the memories! Watched Ayrton over the years from his time with Ralph Firman until the tragic end.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

That's cool

[@OldStreetDoc]

Any time I hear the name ‘Tommy Byrne’ I can’t help but smile. A bit of a melancholy smile to be honest… as I think of what might have been if circumstances had played out a bit differently. We all have our motorsport heroes. And those heroes have a hero - named Ayrton Senna. Rest well, sir.

[@DL.j]

Clark and senna for me is the best in f1, shame they both died at their prime

[@posniknelb6114]

Clark yes, Senna no. Schumacher was superior

[@nilychkirilov]

@@posniknelb6114 Schumacher disagrees.

[@smokeybirdman]

​@@posniknelb6114the stig knows Senna is the greatest of all time, including many world champions, including ur friend Schumacher. BTW, Schumacher raced senna 2.5 years and he never got a single pole position, his first came at Monaco after Senna crashed and Prost and Mansel etc were gone. Schumacher, the most overrated driver ever!

[@milk-it]

You nailed the analysis of Senna's driving. 'Getting the platform to squat, grip and get out of the corner quickly.' A bit like driving a Porsche 911. Senna knew exactly what these cars could and couldn't do. Ben: I wish you had been commentating alongside Martin Brundle in F1. I loved Murray Walker, but your insight juxtaposed against Martin's would've been the ultimate commentary on F1.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Yes I think it's something like that - generally it's a technique I've only seen really working with South American drivers but I've stole it from time to time.. it works in some of the most unlikely places.. like half way into a slow corner...

[@ninja12lawbreaker]

As a total mansell fan, I have to agree Senna was the greatest. Lovely tribute film Ben. Another great Senna moment was one year later in 1984 he was invited as a wild card to the Nordshleiffe for Mercedes E190 new car expo. Merc spent a fortune inviting all the best racers in the world to showcase 20+ cars. Senna was amongst them, it rained a little and he destroyed the worlds best racers in a car he'd never driven on a track he didn't know. LOL

[@BenCollinsDrives]

He was the wet weather KING

[@chillyfly]

One of the first videos that talks about Senna's throttle technique. I still think actually Senna was not stabbing at the throttle as such, but in fact very very early on the throttle prior to the apex, but what you hear is a sequence of tiny lifts to keep correcting the nose of the car. Intentionally induced instability, almost. Schumacher did something similar years later, but he overlapped throttle and left foot brake, to make an unstable rear end more stable. John Barnard talks about it in a podcast and why Schumacher loved the v12 Ferrari when he first tested it, due to the degree of engine braking and natural instability of the rear end on corner entry, which he could tune out with his throttle and brake technique. Almost like the opposite of what Senna did.

[@johnmadden2421]

Go and find the video of Senna driving a Honda NSX. It includes several shots of his feet on the pedals and he is quite clearly stabbing the throttle.

[@Anelipot]

Excellent video. Love the little details that gives us some insight into just how competitive and skilled these drivers are. Brilliant Ben, thank you.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Thanks! Was fascinating to learn research all this.

[@captainianr]

What he said! Thanks for the video!

[@Theblackiesaga]

Senna, THE PILOT, we miss him a lot

[@Theblackiesaga]

Absolutely

[@bryancohn9406]

I was fortunate to work on Atlantic cars in the USA at the end of the Ralt RT4 era. Similar in design to the F2 RT2 and F3 RT3, the cars were miniature F1 cars in so many ways. Aluminum monocoque, blade type adjustable front and rear sway bars, huge ground effect tunnels, stressed engine and gearbox. To this day the RT4&5 cars in the USA are works of art to me. I’ll keep racing my Bugeye but if I hit that lottery one day…..😉 Great film Ben.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

love to have a run in an Atlantic - I never raced one and went to Indy Lights instead but the Atlantic series was awesome in its day

[@nilychkirilov]

Monaco 1984 was like his 5º race in F1. To win that, against monsters like Lauda, Prost, Piquet and Mansell, in the rain, in a inferior car... There're no words for it.

[@DKMG_CHAMORRO86]

Even the stigs was SENNA FAN... RESPECT TO ALL IN THE SPORT

[@djshotty]

Great story Ben. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@demetrisgerasimou895]

Ayrton Senna for ever...

[@dazmos_65]

So cool to see an earlier car he raced. Must have been fascinating to look around. Thanks for a brilliant video!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed it! A lot of fun making this one.

[@chefcc90]

I think most of us are quite jealous of your career!!

[@rossturnbull8632]

The old footage is quite something..thanks..🏎

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Stunning isnt it.

[@automotive474]

Never in my life i wished i could own a car more than this one right now. I hope it has a good owner.

[@SockyNoob]

His WSR car is in Gran Turismo 6 and it definitely fits the slow car fast description. Tons of grip but not much power. It's definitely the type of car you'd want to drive to master tracks.

[@davidivers6261]

Those RALTs were always such a beautifully proportioned little thing, proof that if it looks right, it is right. Their total domination in the smaller formulae all over the world is testament to just how "right" they were, and how brilliant Ron Tauranac was as a designer

[@Dave.S.TT600]

I really enjoyed the wonderful technical breakdown of information But also the personal, earnest thoughts about the other drivers (Senna & Brundle) and Ben's own. Superb communication with your audience. THANK YOU for that, Mate! i Subscribed after that straight away.

[@tyronnezx]

So proud of my favorite brand Toyota being involved in carving out the legend that is Ayrton Senna. What a car, and what a racer!

[@j_e_hill]

And great point about the throttle blipping… he was a “feel” driver and that technique provides better feedback and range of control for a driver like that. Keeping the weight on the front and moving the back of the car with those pulses is a great technique especially in a momentum spec series.

[@alexmessiasjardim11-11]

This car maybe the most rare car drived by Senna

[@lesflynn4455]

I couldn't help but feel it while watching this video. Ben holds Ayrton Senna in the highest regard. I'm old enough to have seen Senna doing amazing stuff during his F1 career. Ben's high regard is entirely understandable, not that I was old enough to fully appreciate it at the time. I was watching the race when Senna crashed at Imola in 1994 at seriously high speed. I was 23 at the time. I don't know what else to say.

[@dnnbrgr7864]

Still soo surreal to me that he’s gone. I feel blessed to have watched him race. He was an amazing human.

[@Dave-gf3kd]

Beautifully done and presented! Very informative and educational! But I was waiting for the Stig to take it out for a lap or two!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Haha I wish. It's off to the US now!

[@l1a146]

I always liked the RT3 Ralts and of course the near cousin the Ralt RT4 that was common here in Australia when Formula Pacific (Atlantic) was the main open wheel catergory here in Australia. Such pretty cars. They Looked somehow just "right" in my eyes. I remember my brother coming back from UK at the end of 83. Talking about these 2 young guys and their epic battle in British F3 and that they were going to be something special in the future. They were of course Senna and Martin Brundle. 🤔

[@scottpsychodub6385]

Wow. Love these old racing cars so much more than modern formula stuff, thanks for another great video. 🏆

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed it! Loved making this one.

[@ernesto_longhi]

Fantastic! I am love for small formula cars particularly. This one is like a Holly Grail to me. Just the Senna's F3 with the Pool Jeans sponsor (the white one) can bring more memories to the fans.

[@trn8061]

Ben, you are such an English gentleman yet so savage in the cockpit. Kinda reminds me of Senna, Brundle, Lauda, Hunt. What a joy having someone like you share this special little car.

[@SockyNoob]

I'd love to see your picks of greatest racing drivers of all time across all disciplines. There's so many amazing drivers from the very beginning all the way to present. Some say it's genetics, others say it's skill and mindset that breeds these drivers.

[@paulboyle6857]

What is so good about these videos is that Ben is a natural presenter &,of course,has been there & worn the T-shirt!

[@hansahlborg]

I love how you explain things. I had the luxury of having driving skills honed by Kenny Brack and he explained just like you do. Simple, clear and to the point❤

[@samuelgarrod8327]

I'm as much a fan of MB as ASdS, both great drivers. Well done for mentioning the rivalry. 👍

[@rjung_ch]

Thanks Ben for this very nice one on Ayrton! 👍💪✌

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@yarrowind9]

Awesome job! Beautiful sentiment for Senna!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Thank you!

[@janioutinen9171]

Great story, great car and the greatest driver, RIP Senna. Good work Ben.

[@benpenagonzales6014]

I grew up watching Senna. My dad followed him from Tolman saying he was the best ever. This episode was brilliant

[@vincentsouchaud6717]

*Toleman.

[@learnpianobyear]

Thanks for that mate. Being a Brazilian teen in the 80s, Senna was my childhood hero. Still is I guess. Anyway, brilliant piece you did here. Much success to you 🏁

[@dejanzelko8361]

I could watch and listen to Ben all day. He has so much knowledge and you can feel his pasion for everything connected to petrol. He is a great presentor. So he had to wear the helmet on top gear. The trio will be canceled sooner ;-)

[@velchuck]

Great video! The day Senna died, F1 was never the same for me. Absolutely this car is a world treasure.

[@meeshker]

I was lucky to go to a few rounds of the 1983 F3 season, supported Brundle of course. It was a fantastic season.

[@MrBillUp]

Love ya Ben! I have a man crush 😁 Senna was also my hero growing up in the 80's and 90's, and to this day is still the GOAT in my eyes. I loved him so much I wanted him to win even over other British drivers. Being English myself, and as patriotic as they come, this is saying allot.

[@thiaguinhooitodois2211]

Awesome story about the radiator. Definitely telling my kid that one.

[@sergio_81]

Senna was and still is my HERO: ❤💛💚

[@jonano12]

I really love these TG/GT style serious mini documentaries.

[@andrewwebb9794]

Absolutely Brilliant Ben, you are a natural behind the Mike.

[@alexmessiasjardim11-11]

Thank you Mr. Collins. 🙇‍♂

[@rallycrosscraig]

Superb video great to know more of these details and good to hear you mention just how good MB was against Senna in f3. This is a super film so much better than the one before where AH didn’t seem to know or care much about the amazing collection of cars in their showroom: please do some more on the other cars from there- thanks

[@aaronwong5462]

Well spoken words at the end @BenCollinsDrives

[@richardhall206]

Love the respect and admiration Ben has for those drivers.

[@andrefncduarte]

What a great story ❤

[@LoftechUK]

You have the best job ever. I understand safety as a stunt driver but look at what you have expanded to. It’s like you can drive anything and to show us lovers who can’t the best view. Thank you Ben. Keep going and stay safe Ps:stay on checks and maintenance ❤

[@BenCollinsDrives]

thank you glad you liked this one!

[@_Archambaud]

Senna ✝️♥️

[@sanjursan]

I saw him drive the F5000 race at Elkhart Lake. He sure seemed to be having a ball with the tail WAY out all the way.

[@Annhollyshtman]

Nice one ben💚🇧🇷

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Thank you bud!

[@romanofanfoni555]

What an informative documentary in film. I had read about Ayrton Senna's amazing driving career but never managed to come across video footage. Thank you

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad I could help!

[@Vellano43]

Greatly appreciated the history lesson on one of the greatest drivers ever!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jimmy5353]

@bencollinsdrives, you are the best of documenting the historic racing cars! Senna was my childhood hero and insparation, when I went go kart racing.

[@peterwalker6020]

Excellent piece of Motorsport journalism, I suppose the old Murray saying that those who can do it and those who can't talk about it. I think the fact that Ben has done it shows in his presentation, you need to have the experience to report as knowledgeable and correctly as Ben shows in this tribute to the best driver of his era. Thank you Ben, I really enjoyed it.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@gafrers]

Legend. Driving Legends, Racing Legend. Legendary Champion

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Legend.

[@Eero_V]

This was an interesting piece of history, obviously I'm aware of Senna's achievements in F1 but did not know anything of his racing career prior to that. Thanks for the excellent video Mr. Collins!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

You're welcome!

[@martinfisker7438]

I can't help thinking Sennas stabs at the throttle reminds me of how rally drivers try to add load (and thus slip angle) to the rear wheels to get it to rotate more

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Could be yeah!

[@Emjackson89]

Fantastic video. Senna is my driving hero. My childhood was spent sitting with my dad watching Senna race and then going karting. Good memories

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed the vid.

[@khymia27]

what a great piece - did the man justice!

[@pauloalves3478]

Great piece. The Senna admiration shows, and makes it even more interesting. And yes, I also believe that Senna is the GOAT

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed the film.

[@Taylor___]

That was amazing Ben, that was worthy of peak Top Gear!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ZedNinetySix_]

I do hope we get to see you push this one!

[@ricklarner9263]

Many Ralt's racing Vintage across the USA!

[@TheRosycruxian]

Great film, ben: Thank you 🙏

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Thanks boss.

[@ricklarner9263]

Great cars! We have one on the way to Germany right now!

[@tristanbergh8655]

Thank Ben, may 2024 also be a glorious year for you! Brilliant vid, thank you. Great insights, admiration and vision and I particularly enjoyed hearing Senna’s sentiments about the car.

[@jonathansanchez1305]

Gracias hombre

[@petermercer5968]

Great show, Ben. Thank you .

[@MicahRenfro]

Senna was an amazing driver!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

He was.

[@VishnuPadmanabhan]

This is brilliantly done, thanks a lot Ben! This took me back to the time when I got emotional watching the documentary that came in a decade earlier. Very well done.

[@StingrayOfficial]

Now I can think about is putting adjustable sway bars on my car.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Haha do it.

[@Joescuderia]

Hey Ben the end of the video is really moving. I'm pretty sure you're aware that Martin Brundle and Eddie Jordan cheated on a modified engine half of the season and running the skirts lower that allowed, that's why Ayrton was overdriving and making mistakes , Dick and Ayrton were running lower wing to compensate but and the end of the season they also sent the novamotor engine back to Italy to be tune up.

[@richardcook2674]

Beautiful Ben...! 'Long live the GOAT'

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Legend!

[@Drizzle7010]

Excellent perspective Ben

[@LarsLilleby]

I mean..a legend talking about a legend. Its a legendary video! Thank you for that!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Haha thanks!

[@ricardomatos6316]

What a great video. 👏👏👏

[@carlosraularguelles1235]

First time he drove it at Trhuxton he beat the time of Quique Mansilla, second in the championship, by some 1,5". Not bad for a Learner. At Silverstone beginning 1982 you arrived to the chicane at 6.3 6.4, accelerate for putting in 4th and dive with both feet to the floor and do the chicane scrubbing the speed and being at the rights revs at the exit. Donnington the right hander at the botton was the same, over rev 4th and turn, no problem, but a lot of faith, you turned slower and the car wouldn't have the same download and moved all over...

[@althejazzman]

I thought we were going to see you drive it!

[@ronchappel4812]

I remember reading an article about this F3 season,written by an f1 journalist in (i think) the nineties. One thing that stuck in my mind was some info about their engine rebuilds.Apparently somewhere mid season Brundle started getting slightly higher spec than Senna's.I'm pretty sure it was about cam belt width.Yes,something that trivial! Around mid point of the championship Senna was having doubts about himself,wondering why he couldnt easily beat Brundle.Then very late in the season Senna's team found out about the different engine spec.Once they started using that Senna had no trouble winning.Of course there were other factors as well (better aero sidepods,etc) Is the engine spec thing true?Maybe It was written by an f1 journalist so it's hard to say 😅

[@PaulinhoThompson]

Thank you Ben that was beautiful.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@warrengday]

Your enthusiasm and clariy make this one of the very best videos you've made.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Wow, thank you!

[@louamorin4246]

Brilliant doc!

[@GFWilliamsnet]

Great video as always!

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Cheers man! Glad you enjoyed this one.

[@michaeltaylor8835]

Great intelligent narrative

[@raykaufman7156]

That was a great story, well told. Thanks for sharing. I'm sure glad you get to speak these days. 👍😆

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Bearded-Logic]

I had no idea you had a channel until a minute ago. Subbed.

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Welcome along dude.

[@MotorcycleClinic_]

What a great video! Loving this youtuber side of your personality :)

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Glad to hear it.

[@sidbobby3233]

Shame u couldn't drive it, but ur passion for Senna came threw mate. Top video 😎👊👍✌👌

[@BenCollinsDrives]

Can't drive them all!