Gallery: Ayrton Senna's racing career in pictures
From karter to champion: images of Senna's racing successes

On the grid ahead of the 1990 British Grand Prix
Grand Prix Photo
Ayrton Senna’s grand prix career spanned 162 races, of which he won 41.
The three-time Formula 1 world champion also took 65 pole positions and stood on the podium 80 times.
As part of Motor Sport’s commemoration of what would be his 60th birthday, we have compiled the gallery of images below, showing how the Brazilian wnet from being a hotshot karter to one of the greatest drivers that the sport has ever known.

Getty Images

A 21-year-old Senna still karting in the 1981 world championship
DPPI

Senna on his way to taking the 1983 British F3 title after a season-long battle with Martin Brundle
Getty Images

With Toleman in F1, ahead of the 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix
Grand Prix Photo

Senna puts down a marker in F1 as he chases down Prost in the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix
Getty Images

Senna's first F1 victory at the 1985 Portuguese GP
Grand Prix Photo

Prost passes Senna at the 1985 San Marino Grand Prix
DPPI

The grid forms for the 1985 Detroit GP
DPPI

A seafront blast in Monaco, 1985
DPPI

Sparks fly at the 1986 Belgian Grand Prix
DPPI

Senna a crowd-pleaser at the 1987 Brazilian Grand Prix
Grand Prix Photo

Senna's Lotus in the 1987 Monaco Grand Prix
Grand Prix Photo

Senna at work in Monaco, 1988
Getty Images

Senna waves to the crowd after winning the 1988 German Grand Prix
Grand Prix Photo

Dominant McLaren MP4/4 had a better chance of sweeping the board in '88 than Red Bull does this year, says Frankel
DPPI

Senna clinches his first F1 championship in Suzuka, 1988
DPPI

Senna had
Grand Prix Photo

Senna at the 1989 San Marino Grand Prix
DPPI

Senna shows the strain of fending off Prost at the 1989 Monaco GP
Getty Images

Senna and Prost at Imola
Getty Images

Formidable duo: Senna and Ron Dennis
Getty Images

The championship decider at the final chicane: Senna and Prost clash at Suzuka in 1989
DPPI

Senna in the rain in Phoenix, 1990
DPPI

Senna during the 1990 season
DPPI

On the grid ahead of the 1990 British Grand Prix
Grand Prix Photo

Leaning in at the 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix
DPPI

Senna spears into Prost at Suzuka
Grand Prix Photo

The Suzuka aftermath
Grand Prix Photo

Focused at the 1991 US GP
Getty Images

Toasting the opposition in Monaco, 1991
Getty Images

Senna celebrates alongside Schumacher after winning the 1992 Italian GP
Getty Images

Battling with Mansell in Barcelona, 1992
Grand Prix Photo

Senna holds off Mansell to win at Monaco in 1992
DPPI

Ayrton Senna accuses Michael Schumacher of blocking him in practice for the 1992 German GP
DPPI

Tussling with Damon Hill at the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix
Getty Images

Senna shows his class at Donington, famously winning the 1993 European GP in the rain
DPPI

Senna at Monaco in 1993
DPPI

Senna follows Schumacher at the 1994 San Marino GP
Getty Images

Michael Schumacher brings his Benetton to a halt at Imola, as the race is red-flagged
Getty Images

Crowds line the streets to pay their respects to Senna
DPPI