Few rivalries in Formula 1 history have matched the intensity of the battles between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Formula 1 was brimming with exceptional talent, but Senna and Prost stood head and shoulders above the rest. Together, they claimed seven world championships and engaged in relentless fights for dominance year after year.
Prost secured his first championship in 1985, just one year after Ayrton Senna entered the sport with Toleman and began showcasing his remarkable talent. By the time Ayrton Senna moved to McLaren in 1988, he had already solidified his reputation as a master of Monaco. That same year, the Brazilian clinched his first title, narrowly defeating Alain Prost by three points in one of the sport’s most fiercely contested seasons.
For the following two years, their rivalry intensified. As teammates at McLaren in 1989, the duo’s relationship reached a boiling point during the Japanese Grand Prix. A controversial collision between them led to Senna’s disqualification, ultimately handing the title to Prost. The following season, the feud escalated when they clashed again at Suzuka. This time, Alain Prost, now driving for Ferrari, found himself on the losing end as Senna’s victory secured him the championship.
Behind the scenes, Ferrari’s management had begun exploring the idea of bringing Senna into the fold. In a 2020 interview with *Corriere della Sera*, Piero Fusaro, Ferrari’s president at the time, revealed just how close the Scuderia came to signing the Brazilian for the 1991 season. However, Prost intervened to prevent the reunion of two of the most dominant forces in Formula 1.
Alain Prost blocks Ayrton Senna’s Ferrari move for the 1991 season
Ferrari’s sporting director Cesare Fiorio initiated discussions with Senna early in 1990, testing the waters to see if the Brazilian was open to joining the team. By mid-season, after Alain Prost’s victory at the French Grand Prix, a draft contract to bring Senna onboard was already on the desk of Ferrari’s senior management. The plan was to have Senna replace Nigel Mansell, setting the stage for one of the most formidable driver pairings in F1 history.
But Alain Prost, wary of reigniting the toxic rivalry that had defined their McLaren years, used his influence within the team to halt the move. For the Frenchman, having two such competitive personalities under one roof was a recipe for disaster, especially at Ferrari, a team known for its political complexity. Consequently, the dream of seeing Ayrton Senna in the iconic red car was dashed, leaving fans to ponder what might have been had the two legends shared the same garage once more.
Despite Ferrari’s leadership never officially approving the deal, Fusaro recounted the series of events that led to the decision. He explained that while the contract was in his possession, Alain Prost, circumventing the usual channels, requested a private meeting with Gianni Agnelli. Agnelli, after considering the request, granted the meeting.
Upon exiting the meeting, Prost made an official declaration, announcing that he had been confirmed for the 1991 season with Ferrari. Fusaro was taken by surprise at this announcement. Out of respect for the company’s hierarchy, he felt it necessary to consult with Cesare Romiti, an executive at Fiat, to determine the appropriate course of action regarding Senna’s contract. Fusaro realized that, with Prost’s confirmation, Senna’s potential signing was no longer viable.
Fusaro then tried once more to persuade Ferrari’s management to proceed with their plan to secure Senna, despite Prost’s objections. He noted that his persistent efforts, which included making various arguments to support Senna’s contract, lasted for an extended period but ultimately ended in rejection. The decision to retain Prost was firm and could not be contested, and this choice, whether justified or not, was attributed to Gianni Agnelli, Fiat’s former head, who had officially endorsed the decision.
Ayrton Senna’s failure to secure a move to Ferrari in 1991 may have, in hindsight, been a fortunate turn of events for his career.
By the time the Japanese Grand Prix arrived, a race where he famously collided with Prost to clinch his first world title, Senna likely knew he would be remaining at McLaren for another year. It turned out to be the right decision for him, even if the choice wasn’t entirely his, as he went on to dominate the 1991 season. Meanwhile, Prost, who was a formidable force in F1, could only manage a fifth-place finish in the Drivers’ Championship.
Prost retired from the sport at the end of 1991, but he made a return to Formula 1 in 1993 for one final season, where he added a fourth and final championship to his illustrious career. His departure from Ferrari in 1991 ultimately created an opportunity for Ayrton Senna, and the Brazilian looked set to join the team in 1994. He started the 1994 season strong with three pole positions but was forced to retire in each of the first three races. Tragically, during the San Marino Grand Prix, the Brazilian’s life was taken in an accident that shook the motorsport world.
On the 30th anniversary of Senna’s death, Prost paid tribute to his former rival, emphasizing the mutual respect they shared for each other’s extraordinary talents. However, in the early 1990s, Prost’s primary concern was to avoid another intense intra-team rivalry with one of F1’s most iconic drivers, fearing the conflict that would arise from pairing with Senna at Ferrari.
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