Video and Photo Special: Celebrating Ayrton Senna on his 50th Birthday

Brazilian Formula 1 superstar Ayrton Senna would have been 50 years old today.

The triple world champion exploded onto the  Formula 1 scene during his well documented test with Williams in 1983 and enchanted, shocked and inspired us over 161 races until his fatal crash during the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.

“If I ever happen to have an accident that eventually costs me my life, I hope it is in one go. I would not like to be in a wheelchair. I would not like to be in a hospital suffering from whatever injury it was. If I’m going to live, I want to live fully, very intensely, because I am an intense person. It would ruin my life if I had to live partially.”

Senna’s  unnerving desire for victory and scintillating speed would propel him to three world titles with McLaren in 1988, 1990 and 1991.

“Racing, competing, is in my blood. It’s part of me, it’s part of my life; I’ve been doing it all my life.”

Here is a 60 minute documentary called The Right to Win plus photos of his career to celebrate his 50th birthday.