Video: Ayrton Senna Tests with Williams in 1994

Senna at Brazil in 1994, thanks to the Cahier Archive

As we barrel ever closer to the start of the 2015 Formula 1 World Championship, let’s take a look back to 1994’s Championship pre-season. In this video, Ayrton Senna tests with Williams in the lead-up to what would become one of the most tumultuous and tragic seasons in the sport’s history.

Going in to the season Williams were looking strong. They’d dominated both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 1992 and 1993 with incredibly advanced machinery, and although Alain Prost had retired after winning his fourth championship in 1993, they had a pretty good driver lined up to take his spot.

The sport was in the grip of some hefty rule changes, however. The electronic driver aids which had become so controversial in years prior, active suspension, traction control, anti-lock brakes and their ilk, were banned from the start of the season. Mid-race re-fueling would also make its return.

The driver who would be replacing Prost in the lead Williams seat had been trying to work his way there for a few years. In this video we catch up with Ayrton Senna as he tests with Williams in the lead-up to the 1994 Formula 1 World Championship at Autódromo do Estoril.

For more, learn the story of the worst weekend in 1994: San Marino Grand Prix, Imola 1994 – The worst weekend, part one