Ayrton Senna Driving Technique

[v8havoc]

Hey everyone,

I just discovered this gem of a forum while searching for a specific video on google. I'm looking for a video that was on YouTube (can't find it anymore), it explained Ayrton Senna's driving technique, specifically throttle tapping in the middle of a corner. Hoping someone here knows where I can find it. I've tried searching here too, no luck.

Also, I'm trying to find some way to watch all of Senna's races, I can't find any DVDs/videos anywhere online.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Marbot]

You mean like this ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsOAh...eature=related

Welcome.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Marbot

You mean like this ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsOAh...eature=related

Welcome.

Well done Scott....

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Well done Scott....

Always been fascinated by that vid. His 'Heel-and-toe' technique is just like mine.

[v8havoc]

Unfortunately no, that's not it, this video was a special like they do on race day on BBC. They looked at telemetry data and compared it to other drivers and showed how his technique made him faster than the competition.

I feel like I've turned YouTube and Google Video upside down looking for it.

Thank you for trying though!

[Taprobane]

I think I know the video, I believe it was Mr Brundle doing the comparison and remembering back to their F3 days. However I don't know where to find it, sorry.

[tristancliffe]

I thought it was Herbert?

Edit: No, that was against a Schumacher trace... sorry.

[Sodemo]

Its strange. Senna always used to stab at the throttle throughout the corners, whereas drivers like Stirling Moss have always said "don't apply the throttle until you can be sure you don't have to take it off".

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Sodemo

whereas drivers like Stirling Moss have always said "don't apply the throttle until you can be sure you don't have to take it off".

I think that was Jackie Stewart who said that. Each to his own.

[TheKing]

It was Jonathan Palmer looking at the data from Donington Park. I don't have the video or traces though.

[Bononi]

Those were the times...

[TrapezeArtist]

I never understood how a series of torque reversals in the middle of a corner could possibly be helpful. Indeed, logic tells me they should be a considerable hindrance. Senna made it work for himself though.

[v8havoc]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

I never understood how a series of torque reversals in the middle of a corner could possibly be helpful. Indeed, logic tells me they should be a considerable hindrance. Senna made it work for himself though.

The video I'm searching for explained it, which is why I'm desperately trying to find it.

[Sodemo]

Originally Posted by Marbot

I think that was Jackie Stewart who said that. Each to his own.

Ah, yes it may have been him.

[Still]

This it?

About 2 mins in....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQUHg8Gjp_o

[TrapezeArtist]

It explains what he did, but not why it worked.

[MarkG]

to stop the front from washing away??

[Aysedasi]

Wasn't this in the turbo days specifically, to stop the engine going off boost?

[rallycrosscraig]

Was this to try and keep it on boost, back in the old days of huge turbos and lag and limited electronics? (Senna was using his right foot as a form of anti lag)

[Aysedasi]

I think that's what I said, didn't I?

[Tim the Grey]

I seem to remember reading of this technique, back in the day...
Jim clark used to say "If you aren't on the Throttle or the Brakes, you're not fast enough"
I wonder what he'd make of BOTH at the same time!

[tristancliffe]

Originally Posted by Tim the Grey

I seem to remember reading of this technique, back in the day...
Jim clark used to say "If you aren't on the Throttle or the Brakes, you're not fast enough"
I wonder what he'd make of BOTH at the same time!

I bet Clark did use both at the same time at times.

[neiltb]

JP in the video specifically says this was the case in 1990, mclaren had NA at that point so he was doing it without turbos.

[djinvicta]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

I never understood how a series of torque reversals in the middle of a corner could possibly be helpful. Indeed, logic tells me they should be a considerable hindrance. Senna made it work for himself though.

Would have loved to see Senna try that in todays Red Bull with the diffuser/exhaust gas downforce

[NJH]

Is he finding the grip perhaps? after all on that data trace the blips are very short and sharp more like a flutter on the pedal than a series of stabs. There was a similar comparison between Schumacher and Herbert that talked about Schumi making a series of tiny steering corrections.

I remember hearing Senna's technique from track side, I think ppl forget how quickly he did it, it sounded much the same as early traction control systems.