Senna's Remarkable Journey to Hall of Fame

American Honda and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) proudly congratulated legendary Formula One driver, the late Ayrton Senna on his induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame, one of the industry’s most prestigious honors recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact on mobility and automotive innovation.

Held September 25 in Detroit, the Automotive Hall of Fame induction ceremony honored his extraordinary contributions to motorsports and his enduring influence on automotive innovation and crash safety.

Senna’s induction celebrates not only his extraordinary success in Formula One, but also his relentless passion, unmatched driving skill, and indomitable spirit—qualities that were deeply intertwined with Honda during some of the most iconic moments in motorsports history. His partnership with Honda produced unforgettable achievements that continue to inspire fans and engineers around the world.

To commemorate this milestone, Honda showcased his iconic 1992 McLaren Honda MP4/7 Formula One car. This was a race car he drove that was a symbol of Senna’s legendary career that represented both his achievements and the timeless bond between Senna and Honda.

Senna’s 1992 McLaren Honda MP4/7 Formula One car. Photo courtesy of Honda

Toyoharu Tanabe, a member of the Honda F1 team during Senna’s era and now with HRC Sakura, attended the ceremony and shared his thoughts:

“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ayrton Senna and his family on his induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame,” said Tanabe. “It is an honor for Honda to see Senna join our founders, Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa, in the Hall of Fame. Mr. Honda had a close relationship with Senna and I am sure he would be delighted by this news.”

Senna’s induction celebrates a career defined by courage, intensity, and an unwavering pursuit of perfection. Over his 11 seasons in Formula One, Senna achieved:

3 World Championships (1988, 1990, 1991)
41 Grand Prix victories
65 pole positions
80 podium finishes
Six wins at the Monaco Grand Prix (the most by any driver to date)

Senna tragically passed away on May 1, 1994, following a crash while leading the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Italy. He was 34 years old.

Honda is proud that Senna’s legacy in motorsports and automotive innovation remains an integral part of its spirit of challenge. The company remains committed to carrying forward his passion and vision into the future.