Your Favourite United States Grand Prix - 1990 Senna v Alesi

The 1990 US GP in Phoenix, featuring a David and Goliath battle between Senna's McLaren and Alesi's Tyrrell, was a classic. It was voted by followers of @F1 on Twitter as their favourite US Grand Prix.
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[@BrianSanbornToday]

I was there! It was the greatest event ever! The sounds of those cars echoing off the tall buildings was euphoric! Mansell blew up in a fireball at 185mph and came to a stop right in front of us! Alesia took it to Senna in the beginning but Senna fought back and dominated! The McLaren had a special Horn shaped exhaust that sounded so great like it was an out of control crazy person driving! No one talks about the exotic fuel they used just for a short time that year. Also a course official let us ride our mountain bikes all around for a full lap On Thursday! I feel privileged to have seen Senna win at my first F-1 Race.

[@rjjablo]

I was there also It was epic

[@watermelonbanana1772]

Really cool. I gotta say though, this was the hardest track to find on google earth, I looked for an hour only to find out I was looking in the wrong spot. I eventually found it. But it’s kinda sad to see so many of these failed us F1 circuits like caesars and Dallas

[@AnArKeeSeaSon]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@watermelonbanana1772Jean Alesi in 2024 is now somewhere like 53 years old.

[@xekret]

I wish F1 would come back to the streets of Phoenix. There are way more bumps now to make it interesting.

[@fmondeo]

Those bumps wouldn't be so kind now...

[@sammbam0369]

@@fmondeo Plus the amount of construction going on from the light rail sadly wouldn't really make it possible.

[@GURken]

Favourite US GP - Indy 2005 XD

[@kevin__brucewilliams]

lol

[@underthebox9046]

yes

[@Smegma007]

Indianapolis 500 1995. Jacques Villeneuve did 505 miles to win the race after surging up the pack. During the final laps, the front driver had the same penalty as Jacques did mid-race, and was stripped of the win because he refused to serve the penalty.

[@HighFlyingOwlOfMinerva]

+GURken I really enjoyed the part when all the Michelin runners made a pit-stop that lasted the entire race. And the insults shouted to Bernie and the FIA as well ofcourse.

[@sergioserrano4167]

+Matthew Panini some say, they're still servicing the cars.

[@tbuts5859]

I'll always remember Senna saying of Alesi on that day: "His braking points were very precise." High praise. What exciting wild animals these cars appear to be compared to cars of today!

[@Fred_the_1996]

Getting highly praised by normal people: 🗿 Getting praised slightly by Senna: 😤😋👌😁😁

[@m.jsouza2782]

@@Fred_the_1996 obviously,Senna was called the goat by Schumacher and Hamilton

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@m.jsouza2782Setsuna Yuki also called Ayrton Senna as the GOAT.

[@DocDudix]

It's a shame that Alesi's career never really went the right way, given all the potencial he showed with Tyrrell. In retrospect, we can surely say that he should've accepted Williams offer for 1991, now that we know what both Williams and Ferrari did from that season onwards... But I completely understand why he chose Ferrari. Look at it this way: both in 1989 and 1990, Ferrari was more competitive than Williams, with Prost even fighting for title in 1990. Alesi would, supposedly, get to drive a better car; if he went to Ferrari, he would have Prost as a teammate - along with Senna, the best driver on the grid, a 3 time world champion full of experience and, last but not least, a Frenchman, just as Alesi; finally, driving for Ferrari seems to be the dream of every F1 driver. With all this in mind, I find Alesi's decision quite logical back in that time. But we all know what happened: Ferrari's 1991 car was a "truck" (as Prost himself described it), not competitive at all. The 1992 model was even worse, 1993 just as bad. 1994 and 1995 it certainly got better, but it was enough for just 1 win. Then in 1996 he switched to Benetton. I guess he thought their car would be competitive, given that they won the 2 previous driver's Championships, but it turned out only Schumacher was able to drive it fast - after Berger drove it for the 1st time, he said it was "undriveable" Well, looking back I think we can say, as hard as this may seem, that he wasted his career.

[@adampetten5349]

DocDudix Never a waste for 17 second places.

[@JollyRogers102]

Well there's still Alonso for the worst career moves ever.

[@federicosanchez7791]

DocDudix amazing arguments thanks

[@penskepc2374]

I dont think you can call having a win in top tier motorsports a wasted career.

[@Kasmuller]

He did sign for williams, but they didn't announce him as a driver so he went to ferrari instead

[@largol33t1]

Best quote regarding the race: "How can he lead the bloody race? With a 10 year old Cosworth engine?! And he led for almost 20 laps!" Who said that? None other than Jean Alesi's boss Kenn Tyrrell!

[@azynkron]

It would only be possible on a track like this. Monaco and Hungary and maybe one more were so difficult to overtake on that if you risked it a little in the beginning, with some defensive driving you could hold better cars off. Look at Monaco in -92 when Senna held the vastly superior car of Mansell off.

[@siddhantshrivastav]

for those who think Verstappen has been unlucky in 2017, that was basically Alesi's entire career with Ferrari.

[@davideloi9176]

I suffered so much, when I was a teenager, being a fan of Ferrari and especially a Jean Alesi fan.

[@spieler440]

He just made the wrong career decisions. He should have kept his contract with Williams. If he did, he just might be a world champion. Definitely would have won more than just one race

[@wingzero2348]

@@spieler440 He would of won 1996, not damon hill. Alesi over hill I feel.

[@purwantiallan5089]

@@wingzero2348 true. In 1998 also. Alesi should've won the title even with Sauber.

[@wingzero2348]

@@purwantiallan5089 with sauber? No in a mclaren sure.... but in 1996 if alesi is in the williams he destroys hill.

[@rubenick]

How 2005 didn't win is beyond me...

[@jdswalker8615]

+Rubenick You can only chose 1 of 3 races (they chose the three), but I do agree with you.

[@Tanquecrack1TheBoss]

that Is a joke I suppose

[@jdswalker8615]

Tanquecrack1 The Boss The race was the real joke

[@Tugboatpb]

Because it wasn't a race

[@azynkron]

Because everything from after 1991 is not that interesting. Get over it.

[@pauldamian2988]

THIS is what F1 cars should look like...

[@Juzgames]

us GP 2005 was the best.... so interesting that jordan took 3rd

[@RomanZerstoren]

and unbelieveably two ferrarys took 1-2 places

[@flavoredsnacks9979]

Luqmanul Hakim You do not know how good Jordan was in 1998/99

[@conemerchant]

even karthikeyan scored points, honestly have no clue why it wasn’t in the voting

[@slevingarganera8375]

@@conemerchant Minardi scored points too

[@Sh0ckmaster]

A Minardi on the front row and a highly competitive Tyrrell with a fired-up Jean Alesi on the second row. Tremendous!

[@milesr4609]

Dont forget the Dallara!

[@Tugboatpb]

Jean Alesi was so underrated

[@Primaguida]

Amazing Jean Alesi, great battle

[@josepaulooliveira8143]

Senna: THE BEST EVER

[@nicolaivedel5067]

To earn respect from Senna, wow, must feel like god just blessed you

[@hugoaparicio5773]

Senna SEMPRE

[@bimoadityo8932]

1:42 now that's car control!

[@LMGxNoScopexx]

I thought no one else noticed haha...Mansell is a freaking badass for that one!

[@Abnsdllnnlosnfd]

US Grand Prix: Like " This pit stop is brought to you by Budweiser" LOL

[@tiadaid]

Alesi should have gone to Williams in '91. He would have won more than one race, if not the championship.

[@JohnOffroader1999]

tiadaid This race is in itself is enough to prove that Jean Alesi had the talent but his decision to move to Ferrari was a wrong one that cost him his Formula 1 career.

[@m.jsouza2782]

@@JohnOffroader1999 he didnt have the "timing" like Senna and other champions had to pick the right team

[@AlonsoRules]

Ah yes, good 'ol Phoenix. We complain about some venues today getting no spectators, but this place couldn't even draw 15k.

[@HighFlyingOwlOfMinerva]

+Anthony Kernich Probably because 'muricans never really cared much about F1, especially not back in the days when IndyCar (or CART if you prefer) was becoming more and more popular.

[@phxmaster9684]

Well I can say that has changed,they came here at a bad time ,now it would be more attended

[@AlonsoRules]

There was probably no promotion. I read in a magazine that the race itself wasn't shown on American TV until hours after it had finished!!!

[@BlueAxeRacer]

At least it was an interesting layout.

[@phxmaster9684]

Oddly enough it was nascar that got me into f1 and I went to the race in March and may go to the upcoming race

[@Lima547]

I grew up watching Senna! He was a hero for me. A hero for Brazil!

[@draytonviniciusvilasboas2967]

Senna best of all time.

[@andrewberridge1629]

1983 U.S.A long Beach, McClaren drivers, John Watson and Niki lauda drove there cars from the back of the field to win. 👌 👍 👏

[@danieleiavarone6908]

02:12 what a GET REKT 0_0

[@raphael4377]

Daniele Iavarone ii

[@viniciusalexandre550]

Great old days...in F1....great battle...

[@me_dyrl]

That overtaking scene is amazing. While repeating the same ones but blocking the inside. I don't really see competition like this recently. Maybe i missed it out.

[@Circuitsofthepast]

Great race. I start watching F1 in 1988, so this was in the early years for me. I still remember the fight between Senna and Alesi. How different would Alesi's career have been if he didn't move to Ferrari at the wrong moment.

[@102Help]

I live in Phoenix, I wish so badly that F1 would come back

[@MikeGoesBadaBoom]

Phoenix and Long Beach

[@kakhak]

What a battle of masters, true racing

[@andyberridge4209]

How longbeach 1983 didn't win is beyond me. Watson and Lauda, drove there McClaren cars from the back of the field to the front, beating on the turbo teams. One of the best races I ever watched, John Watson the burn from the stern.

[@DA-sv2iw]

I lived right there!!

[@skyhigh335]

This was a brief revival moment for the once dominant Tyrrell team, it’s a shame that it was short lived.

[@JeeshanChoudhury]

And now 2015 becomes the best US Grand Prix by far. What an impressive, exciting and unpredictable race.

[@phxmaster9684]

As an American I thought it was cool that Alexander Rossi finished on the lead lap and almost got his first point in f1 and contending with all the remaining runners even though Lewis won the race (massa is my favorite driver)

[@sniperx9024]

I agree.The Redbulls had the Mercedes guys by the balls in the first part of the race

[@jamesji8574]

"Jean Alesi, who i used to hero worship is now playing with my genital" - Jeremy Clarkson

[@pressstart1490]

Alesi was a Great Driver! Sadly he only has 1 Win in F1

[@ProjUltraZ]

The cars were also the nicest looking

[@drbanana19]

Since I just got interested in F1 a couple days ago, I thought they were racing at ISM (Phoenix International Raceway, It's called ISM Raceway now)

[@jhd81]

QUE epoca, los mejores pilotos, autos increibles, gran sonido y sin ese vergonsozo DRS

[@example2844]

Just want to say that camera angle at 2:15 was just 👌

[@theoriginalrabbithole]

That was a great race. Alesi on those 'gumball tires' as ESPN's David Hobbs was calling them during the race. Given that he was driving a Tyrell against Senna in the McLaren, I dare say it was Alesi's greatest performance in an underdog car.

[@fredxu99]

The old races are so much fun to watch with clean overtakes.

[@jbprescottaz2983]

My memory of this race was driving my street car near the course and seeing them head down the Washington Street straight. And how LOUD it was with the sounds of the motors bouncing off the buildings.

[@seemakiran6906]

2012 was a spectacular race though.....

[@NeatoUnused]

no one voted for 2005 :-(

[@markhenley3097]

lol

[@HighFlyingOwlOfMinerva]

Nice profile pic

[@Gp2ever]

Love the music in Backgroud !! Name please

[@brunokiko19]

Same here

[@robertwalker5585]

Gamer Argento darude sandstorm

[@TimtimzroyalXx]

Six Shooter - Tom Peters Lorenzo De Feo Remy Mallett

[@crestgamez]

And now Senna and Prost are in Formula E LOL

[@daynerpek4217]

+Crest Gallium You've gotten it all wrong. Its BRUNO Senna And Nicolas Prost who's racing in Formula E. Alain Prost is the co-owner of the Renault E.dams Formula E team.

[@xrhadamanthxx2170]

Xdeya

[@samhesketh]

crest video 😂 there failed counter parts

[@jude_the_apostle]

and Piquet

[@buzzerbee9353]

Even Piquet too ha

[@WesleyAlves42]

Oh man.. I wish I was from Senna/Prost and all these guys's time. :(

[@Ever443]

Best looking cars, best drivers best decade for F!

[@pcsc1097]

2:09 that was a sexy pass

[@4bimmer_com_bmw_tuning_parts]

2:46 that diffusor

[@markovangjeli7982]

What is diffusor

[@PhxRomero]

Marko Vangjeli spikes that are back of car. More downforce

[@peterspeeder6973]

I still find it wild that they chose to hold a gp at Phoenix of all places. It’s such a beautiful and under appreciated city and is one of my family’s favorite vacation spot.

[@philippesauvie639]

Senna was the best!

[@jamesm.3967]

I wasn’t there but I lived in Glendale Az. Thanks.

[@Sh0ckmaster]

Alesi had another second place later that season at Monaco, driving a newer Tyrrell. IIRC that car had a newer design of front wing that would become the standard design not long after for all F1 cars. Definitely a design ahead of the curve.

[@milesr4609]

Tyrrell had that desing first. But Benetton perfectioned it and maked it a trend.

[@mouloudmeddi8271]

look at the respect between the rivals..

[@tlreclipse1126]

As someone who lives in Arizona I would love to see this Race return.

[@ariveitz1941]

Seems I have to go back in years to see real racers racing 😮

[@eamonnmckeown6770]

Bring back the tire wars. Might be nice to see a back marker shake up the big money guys once in a while.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Its been now 34 years now since Alesi vs Senna in 1990 US GP Battle.

[@Abnsdllnnlosnfd]

1:08 My grandpa used to do this as well ROFL

[@Serve75]

Ayrton Senna --> GOAT!

[@UbruceLee]

Almost 2 years later, I'm still searching for the song name in the video

[@thenarwalarchives6548]

Here kzbin.info/www/bejne/i16ogn13baabl8U

[@rifqidani5070]

@@thenarwalarchives6548 title song? Because the link video is blocked of Violance somehow

[@albertoalmeida3424]

What a victory!

[@redeye1053]

im pretty sure now the 2015th GP would be the most voted

[@MrTexy66]

I was there, it rained during qualifying, race day was very cold!

[@SharlesIII]

Wish I was alive to see the 1990 phoenix gp because its my home gp and I live just a few miles from there

[@FoxtrotGolfLima]

I want to see this kind of clean battling in 2016 and on

[@Fatherjohn76]

I remember this race so well. A Minardi on the front row! But moreover Alesi's incredibly determined performance. I remember thinking "this kid's gonna be world champion in a few years, no doubt". Shame his career didn't quite pan out the way his early promise suggested

[@davidpalozzolo6940]

Brabham was still around in 1990?

[@nessimaidli4728]

+David Palozzolo with a lot of non qualification in 1992

[@PeterKKraus]

Watkins Glen and Indy.All others until Austin were an embarrassment. Except the original Long Beach GP.

[@danesebruno]

Amazing how in a couple of laps Senna learnt what kind of driver Alesi was.

[@borninpennsylvania3908]

what

[@leonardokdc1]

kkkk

[@Mx64MaxyImpress]

Back when every team could be challenging... *EVEN TYRELL & NEW BOY ALESI*

[@ernestomartinez4090]

Dallas 1984. And Detroit 1986. Without a single doubt.

[@a.k.a.simaobezerra8289]

Sick song!

[@ChrJahnsen]

I remember that GP. Such a shame Alesi never really achieved such heights again.

[@andrewally3570]

What you mean? He got his win in 1995

[@StanceSantos]

⁠@@andrewally3570yeah but only the one after such a long stint at Ferrari. Best way to describe alesi is right place wrong time

[@valkiriachila2032]

"If you no longer go for a gap that exist, you are no longer a racing driver. Because we are competing, we are competing to win, and the main motivation to all of us, is to compete for victory, not to come second, third, fourth or fifth." -- Senna.

[@saltbjorn]

legendary

[@turlupouet]

Wow great times

[@milesr4609]

I would love to see the return of the classic teams. Tyrrell, Brabham, Ligier, Benetton, Arrows, Lotus, Minardi...even Jordan and a full flegged Sauber. They had something to identifie and root for, the colours, drivers, team principals and history. Some of the new teams just stay for a couple of years or doesnt mantain their "colours". Its a shame...

[@otaviofrn_adv]

the majority keep their colors based on sponsorship, that's how it's always been

[@milesr4609]

@@otaviofrn_adv not really, it only started on the late 60s/early 70s with Lotus and the Gold leaf sponsorship. But even until the 90s you would recognize teams by its colours (Minardi's Black and Yellow for example, white and blue Brahbams, french bleau Ligiers or bright Yellow Jordans). Before that national colours or team colours defined them. But nowadays is nonsense, you see Racing point and then Alpine having the same livery desing only a few years apart. You can't identifie with any of them bacause they change names and liveries on the short run, Red bull and Ferrari being a extrange exception.

[@robarnold6998]

I’m going to be that guy that says “I was at this race”. Traveled across the country from Savannah, GA. and paid $200 for a ticket on the start/finish line. Did not sit there long due to very little action. Walked the entire circuit and as I finished circling the race course on the streets of downtown Phoenix the race ended with Ayrton Senna taking the checkered flag. My guy was Gerhard Berger, who was on pole. Have been an avid F1 fan since ‘88. There’s nothing like F1.

[@nicefam7564]

An Arizona desert track could be insane

[@MaxiF.]

The iceberg Gp for the Titanic crash 1912 Senna great from 6 to win in a fantastic overtake

[@jacobhueckstaedt3427]

Favorite U.S. Grand Prix/Grand Prix in general was the 2004 United States Grand Prix.

[@chestercody100]

I’ve lived my whole life here and had no idea this happened...

[@MrAspire89]

what music is playing?

[@911gpd]

Darude-sandstorm

[@TimtimzroyalXx]

Six Shooter - Tom Peters Lorenzo De Feo Remy Mallett

[@accomify]

Céline Dion - My Heart Will Go On

[@lucaslaino7292]

Best us gp by far

[@brad2799]

some fucking how a Minardi got second and a Dallara third.

[@dorothytham8012]

and then 2018-Kimi’s last win for Ferrari

[@YourFavouriteDraugr]

Which was a nothing race leading up to the finish.

[@UGRRetribution]

Hey F1? Can we get full classic races now that there are new owners?

[@RomanZerstoren]

firstly new owners will increase number of races, but quantity quality...

[@UGRRetribution]

That shouldn't stop them from publishing classic races in full on KZbin, should it?

[@RomanZerstoren]

hopefully they will publish full oldschool races

[@valami42]

Well, this comment really aged well. Enjoy the classic races my man :)

[@igelitovysacek6307]

name of the song? inb4 darude - sandstorm inb4 sarude - dandstorm

[@eIucidate]

Igelitovy Sacek Durade - RansomsDT

[@TimtimzroyalXx]

Six Shooter - Tom Peters Lorenzo De Feo Remy Mallett

[@brunokiko19]

Peter Miller great man! Thanks!

[@joeyrao402]

Can we bring F1 back to phoenix there's a lot of road work I'd like them to speed up on plus it would be in my home state after I've been born so I'd have a chance to see it.

[@andreasgrothe9940]

I really wish Formula One would US Grand Prix at Phoenix raceway

[@craigheadalastair]

Wanted to ask why 2005 wasn't in the mix but everyone beat me to it!

[@craigyirush3492]

Great footage and commentary, but the music was terrible! Let us hear the cars.

[@igelitovysacek6307]

they cant put engine sounds in these, nobody would watch F1 anymore.

[@ForzaPolska06]

Did i heard Minardi on the front row?

[@vdbdg]

And a Belgian on the podium. That was historical indeed

[@spencerervin620]

bring back Phoenix Grand Prix

[@runrafarunthebestintheworld]

indy gp was a really long track what the f1 cars used but what the indycar's use is shorter sometimes when I saw f1 racing at indy It didn't look like indy to me

[@rallyivan1234]

Alesi waa a great driver

[@mickeynismocat]

I miss the excitement off unreliability