The expressions revealed everything. The temperature was slightly above freezing and a small group ofMcLarenTeam members gathered near the timing station on the pit wall just before lunch.
Every time the car zoomed by, the mechanics would glance up to enjoy the expression on the face of Ayrton Senna's Italian engineer, Giorgio Ascanelli, who resembles a younger Pavarotti. Each time, he would respond by widening his eyes and smiling, then telling the pit signaller to update the numbers on the board.
Senna hadn't driven a Formula 1 vehicle for three months, but there he was, recording the quickest time of the winter. He spent the entire Wednesday day readjusting to the pace, even making a few spins as he explored the new car's boundaries.
By midday on Thursday, all uncertainties regarding the new McLaren-Ford MP4/8's performance disappeared when Senna pushed hard: 1m21.2s, 1m21.0s, 1m20.4s, 1m20.3s. It was an amazing demonstration of steady pace.
To give Senna's accomplishments proper context,Damon Hill had set Williamshis fastest time of the winter the day prior at 1m21.0s, while the McLaren boys, Michael Andretti andMika Hakkinen, had achieved 1m21.5s and 1m21.7s respectively following two weeks of testing the latest package.
As the day drew to a close, Andretti achieved a time of 1m21.1s, while Senna delivered another astonishing series: 1m21.0s, 1m20.5s, 1m20.2s.
McLaren has faced a challenging winter. The uncertainty regarding engine suppliers and drivers for the season had affected the motivation of a committed team, accustomed to achieving success. Last Thursday, they regained their confidence.
As they stored the vast amount of electronic gear for the trip to South Africa, everyone was wondering if Senna would be with them for the opening race at Kyalami.
Senna appeared calm yet exhausted as he talked following the test. He mentioned it had been a tough two days, but he was content. "The car is, of course, quite fast," he said in his usual modest way.
Gently massaging his eye, he added, "In my view, Silverstone is among the most challenging tracks to configure a car properly and achieve an effective balance between the infield sections and the high-speed corners such as Stowe, Bridge, and Becketts."
My objective in coming here was truly the second phase on a positive journey towards racing this year. The first phase was meeting with Philip Morris in Lausanne, Switzerland, which proved to be productive and encouraging. Step three will involve making the decision.Ayrton Senna
I even wondered in the past few years, 'I just don't know how to move quickly around this track.' But from yesterday to today, I had a chance to drive at speeds that I couldn't believe I was capable of.
In truth, I believe I could move quicker, yet I struggle to synchronize my mind and body to achieve that. My mental responses aren't swift enough to enable me to go faster. It's extremely challenging to drive at such a speed because of the intense G-forces affecting your body, and the time between seeing something and reacting is nearly nonexistent; you barely notice it and it's already gone. There's no time for thought.
Senna leaned back in his chair, contemplating as he discussed the past two days. A man of deep reflection, this 32-year-old rarely speaks without first considering his words. Despite being tired from a demanding day on the track, there was clearly a glint of excitement in his eye. He was clearly impressed by the speed of the new McLaren and may have been mentally assessing how the car could evolve over the next year.
However, he was cautious not to let his newly discovered enthusiasm prevent him from recognizing that if he aimed to compete with the car this year, there was still significant negotiation ahead with Ron Dennis and sponsor Marlboro.
It's a risky scenario," he mused. "Especially after being away for three months without driving. I'm not at my best with my reflexes, so I need to keep myself in check.
From the first day to the second, I made a significant progress, not only for myself but also for the car; we truly enhanced the car's performance. However, you know, you lose a second per lap if you just dwell on something.
It's challenging to adjust your mind or your body. You instruct your hands, 'Okay, turn a bit more here' or 'lift here,' but it often occurs just too late.
You contemplate something and it's already too late. So you rely on your instincts, you anticipate what will happen so you can respond as it occurs. If you make a mistake, you'll lose control. It's not too bad in slow turns because if you're wrong, you'll spin, but in fast turns it's very challenging.
Podcast: My Favorite F1 Year – James Allen's 1993
Is this a vehicle capable of winning a race?
The performance, I believe, is present," continued Senna. "Naturally, there are still issues with reliability. With all the electronics, there are minor aspects that need to be understood before they can be fine-tuned and altered. There is still much development remaining.
My objective in coming here was truly the second phase on a positive journey for racing this year. The first phase involved meeting with Philip Morris in Lausanne, Switzerland, which was beneficial and encouraging. Because of that meeting, I traveled here to test the car, and now I will take some time to carefully consider the circumstances. The third step will involve making the decision.
Even though he didn't want to acknowledge it, Senna clearly understood that he was eager to compete this season. However, there were additional factors to consider. Financial issues often arise during discussions between Senna and McLaren. He has been part of the team for five straight seasons, securing three world titles, and every time his contract needed renewal, he has managed to increase the price by several million.
Previously, Honda paid up, fearing he might switch sides toFerrarior Renault, but this time there is no Honda. It was the responsibility of McLaren's leader Ron Dennis and primary sponsor Marlboro to determine Senna's value to F1.
But there is no doubt that Senna was motivated by his test at Silverstone. "It wasn't just a single fast lap," he said. "We did it on multiple occasions. I am amazed by the significant progress made in two days, both in myself and the car. I wonder how much further we can go?"
The V8 engine is completely different. It delivers significantly more power in the lower and mid-range RPMs, but less at the top end. It also handles corners differently. The throttle response is entirely different, and it has required a lot of work for me to understand the new engine characteristics. We will always aim for more high-end power with a V8 engine.Ayrton Senna
The mood in the McLaren pit area evoked memories of the past, when Senna and McLaren were at their peak strength. During the final practice session for a race, the Brazilian would remain calm, waiting for the perfect opportunity to chase pole position. Did he experience the same emotions at Silverstone last week?
You understand when you're moving quickly," he responded, considering. "You realize it almost from corner to corner, and then the final lap time on the pit board is just a result. When you complete a fast lap, you simply know it's fast, and it's about balancing your boldness with your experience and self-restraint.
I find this intriguing, aiming to strike a balance between not being overly cautious but also avoiding excess and making mistakes.
I am especially intrigued by this type of scenario at extremely high speed, which I discovered today. You rely on intuition. You sense the time as you maneuver and then, after approximately 80 seconds, you achieve a remarkable outcome. It's an amazing experience.
Following several seasons using multi-cylinder Honda powerplants, including V10 and, more recently, V12 configurations, how did he find driving McLaren's latest Ford HB V8 engine?
He stated strongly, 'The V8 is a completely different engine. It delivers significantly more power in the lower and mid RPM ranges, but less at the higher end. It also handles corners differently. The throttle response is entirely new, and it has required considerable effort for me to understand the engine's new traits. We will always aim for greater top-end power with a V8 engine.'
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The hurried McLaren F1 vehicle that enhanced Senna's reluctant legacyOne of the most intriguing aspects of conversing with Ayrton Senna is his skill in vocalizing his thoughts on what racing signifies to him, deconstructing a fast lap, or explaining how he energizes himself. When he begins reflecting and speaking in this manner, you can remain engaged for hours.
Luckily, he was in exactly that frame of mind following his return to an F1 car last week. This has been his life for almost a decade, could he truly consider stepping away from racing?
The emotion I feel while racing is something I can't put into words," said Senna. "It's not something I fully comprehend, but I've experienced it, sensed it, and it's amazing.
This year, in January, my enthusiasm was very low. It felt like a tiny flame. A friend of mine kept encouraging me to take this test. He urged me, and gradually the flame grew larger and larger, and my passion began to return, which I could both see and feel.
Occasionally in life, you simply cannot alter situations regardless of how much you desire to. I believe that friend did an excellent job in convincing me to return.
This has been my life for such a long time now. At times, I find myself thinking, 'You have gained so much from this, personally speaking, in terms of material advantages, you have earned the respect of many people across the globe, you can't just walk away. You can't do that. Firstly, for those who know you or follow you, you simply can't abandon it.'
But the ability to drive the car at high speed is becoming increasingly challenging, as it requires maintaining the balance needed to assess all these factors and make the essential decisions, whether they are personal or technical. This is the most difficult aspect of my job, and it has been this way for the past two or three years.
I didn't travel from Brazil to England and face zero-degree cold this weekend just to stand around. I've been in Europe for 10 days, and it's taken that long to meet with people and get everything organized. We'll just have to wait and see.Ayrton Senna
But certainly, having completed a set of laps within the best time of both Williams-Renault drivers, he must believe he can compete against Alain Prost and put significant pressure on him?
Senna takes a full 15 seconds to contemplate before responding gradually: "I have always been inspired by a challenge. If you can recognize a challenge, you've already made significant progress toward overcoming it."
I didn't travel from Brazil to England and face zero-degree cold this weekend just to stand around. I've been in Europe for 10 days, and it's taken that long to meet with people and get everything organized. We'll just have to wait and see.
On Monday, the information spread to an eager global audience that Senna would compete with McLaren in 1993 – the Brazilian is back.
