One of the greatest drivers to have ever competed in Formula 1, Ayrton Senna is widely considered a legend of the sport. Senna was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil on the 21st of March 1960. Following his 1984 debut at his home race in Brazil, he went on to win the Driver's World Championship in 1988, 1990, and 1991. During his Formula 1 career, he won 41 races, the first being the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix in Estoril.

Senna tragically died on the Imola circuit in Italy during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Widely considered one of the darkest weekends in the sport's history, injuries were sustained by fellow Brazilian Rubens Barichello, and Austrian Roland Ratzenberger was killed during qualifying. Driving for the Williams F1 team, Senna suffered a high-speed accident at the Tamburello corner. During the impact, his front right wheel detached along with its suspension striking Senna on the head and causing a fatal injury. During his life, Senna had a passion for fast cars both on and off the track, here are some of the best models he owned.

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8 Ford Escort XR3

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Via: FavCars

One of the original hot hatches, the Ford Escort XR3 was one of Ayrton's personal cars. Senna's, Brazilian version would have been powered by a 1.6-liter engine running on ethanol. The top speed was slower than his F1 car at 113 mph and 0-60 mph took 9.0 seconds utilizing the 97 hp produced.

Ford Escort XR3
Via: ManorParkClassics

The power was transferred to the front wheels via a 4-speed manual gearbox. The XR3 was only the second front-wheel drive car produced by Ford in Europe. Should Senna have the need to transport some stuff, the XR3 offered 360 liters of boot space.

7 Audi Ur-S4

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Via: FavCars

The Audi S4 provided Senna with not only a rapid daily driver but also a business agreement. In 1993, he signed a contract with Audi to help import and sell its vehicles in a new market for them, Brazil. As part of the agreement, and to promote the little-known European brand, Senna took delivery of the S4 Avant.

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Via: FavCars

A 2.2 liter 5-cylinder engine produced 230 hp and Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system delivered the power to all four wheels. 0-62 mph took 6.2 seconds. The car was a precursor for the modern RS6 and helped build Audi's reputation for performance vehicles.

6 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3 16v Cosworth

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Via: FavCars

The first of the Mercedes cars on this list, the Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 was won by Senna in a "Race Of Champions" at Germany's Nurburgring. Mercedes' employees decided to celebrate the reopening of the Nurburgring following redevelopment, by organizing a race with high-profile racing drivers. 20 identical 190 E 2.3-16 Mercedes were used. Senna won the race and received an identical car as a prize, the winning car was sent to Mercedes-Benz's museum.

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Via: FavCars

The car as the name indicates housed a 2.3-liter, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine producing 182 hp and enabling a 0-62 mph time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 126 mph. Power was transmitted to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. With Cosworth playing a role in the engine's development it was always likely to be a decent unit.

5 Honda NSX

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Via: NetCarShow

The NSX was a car that Aytron not only drove but helped develop. Racing for the McLaren-Honda racing team in their Honda-powered McLaren MP4/4, Senna was well-placed to help Honda fine-tune the NSX's handling.

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Via: NetCarShow

Following development, Senna went on to own the finished car. A red example was gifted to him by Honda in 1991 for use at his European holiday home in Portugal. The NSX was powered by a 3.0-liter, 24-valve V6 producing 274 hp. This power enabled a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 162 mph.

Related: This Is What Made The 1992 Honda NSX-R So Awesome

4 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC C126

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Via: FavCars

Ayrton Senna owned the 500 SEC during the early days of his career. He used the car as a daily driver while working for Lotus in the Norfolk area of England. Being a coupe version of the S Class, the 500 SEC offers comfort, safety, luggage capacity, and refinement. Arguably, one of the best long-distance cruisers of the period.

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Via: FavCars

The SEC was fitted with a 5.0-liter V8 engine that enabled a 140-mph top speed. Produced between 1981 and 1991, just over 30,000 units were manufactured.

3 Porsche 911 930 Cabriolet

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Mecum

Another of the cars Senna enjoyed at his Portuguese holiday home. Senna acquired his 930 cabriolet in 1987, a 3.2 liter Carrera. The 6-cylinder engine produced 218 hp allowing for a top speed of 149 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 6.3 seconds.

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Mecum

The engine was mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox and all the car's power was directed to the rear wheels. The cabriolet body style would have enabled Senna to make the most of the sun and enjoy his off-season time.

2 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Ti

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Via: Alfa Romeo

Another Car Senna owned during his early racing career was the Alfasud Ti. Fitted with a 1.5 liter, 4 cylinder boxer engine, the Alfasud produced 83 hp. The car was front-wheel drive and fitted with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The top speed was 106 mph

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Via: NetCarShow

Handling dynamics were enhanced by independent Mc Pherson struts with telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and helicoidal springs. To provide stopping power, disc brakes were fitted front and rear.

Related: These Are The Coolest Features Of The McLaren Senna GTR

1 McLaren Senna (If He Were Still Alive Today)

Red 2018 McLaren Senna At A Racetrack
McLaren

In a fitting tribute to one of the McLaren racing team's most successful drivers, the Senna was released in 2018. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, the Senna creates 800 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The engine is the most powerful engine McLaren has ever fitted to a road car. McLaren sought to provide the driver with some sense of what Ayrton would have experienced around a track.

McLaren Senna Delta Red Rear
Via: McLaren

The Senna is the most track focussed road car McLaren has ever produced. Consequently, it also sets the fastest lap times around a track. Just like a modern F1 car, active aerodynamics provide high levels of downforce. Interestingly, the Senna is the lightest vehicle McLaren has manufactured since the F1.