1993 European Grand Prix

This is the complete race as broadcast on LIVE TV.

Here at Donington, England, Alain Prost and Damon Hill were on the front row of the grid, not a big
surprise considering the technically superior Williams cars of the 1993 season. Michael Schumacher
was third on the grid in his new Benetton, while Ayrton Senna was fourth in his McLaren.

It was raining for the start of the race, and Prost and Hill shot out front into turn 1, while Michael
Schumacher threw a block on Ayrton Senna, allowing Karl Wendlinger (Sauber) to slip into third
place. Within the first lap, a determined Ayrton Senna passed all those in front of him to take the
lead, much to the delight of BBC announcers James Hunt and Murray Walker. And also by the end of
the first lap, young Rubens Barrichello had slipped into fourth place. Senna then continued on his
mission, and by the end of the next lap had pulled out to an amazing 7-second lead. The track began
to dry out and the first drivers came in for slicks. The rain was intermittent, causing the front
runners to keep switching from wets to dries. When Senna pitted, his crew had a problem, and he
fell back 20 seconds off new leader Alain Prost. As the rain intensified, the Williams Team (Prost
and Hill) came in for rain tires, but Senna stayed out, sliding around on slicks for several laps. As the
track dried, Senna could not be caught. The Williams cars eventually had to come in for slicks, but
soon after, the rains returned. Prost and Hill pitted for rain tires, and Senna had no choice but to
pit as well. But the McLaren crew were not ready for Senna, and Ayrton drove through the pit lane
in frustration. By the next lap, the rain had stopped, and Senna decided to stay out.  Damon Hill was
beginning to close, but all he could do at this point was unlap himself. Eventually, the rains came back
yet again in the closing laps, and Senna had to stop for rain tires. Damon Hill and Alain Prost followed
Senna into the pits, but Senna had almost a full lap on the Williams Team.

One of the most exciting races of Senna’s career, and one he was very proud of. This is the original
BBC broadcast with commentators Murray Walker and James Hunt.