Video: Ayrton Senna’s First Win

Senna at the start of the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix, thanks to the Cahier Archive

Watch as Ayrton Senna conquers driving rain and some truly shocking conditions, not to mention a field of the best drivers in the world, to claim his first Formula 1 Grand Prix victory. Let’s head back to Estoril for the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix.

After his break-out drive to second place in the torrential downpour that was the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix, punters knew it was only a matter of time until Senna climbed that last step to the top. In 1985, out of the Toleman and driving a much more competitive Lotus 97T, Senna wasted no time.

The Portuguese Grand Prix saw drivers at Estoril for the second round of the 1985 World Championship. It was only Senna’s second outing in the car after qualifying fourth and then retiring with electrical troubles in Brazil two weeks prior.

He was immediately quick and put the car on pole, the first in his career, by some four tenths of a second ahead of Alain Prost. When Sunday rolled around and the heavens opened, he busted out his rain dance moves and waltzed away from the field, finishing a full minute ahead of the Ferrari of Michele Alboreto and a lap clear of anyone else.

Take two minutes and enjoy this report from Formula 1, packed with period footage from the race.

MORE: Video: Ayrton Senna explains his race at the 1985 Australian Grand Prix

Image thanks to the Cahier Archive

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