"New Man" Ayrton Senna and July 15, 1984

Premium

"New Man" Ayrton Senna and July 15, 1984

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on January 22, 2026

Text:

Daniel Reinhard

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

6

Mercedes-Benz AG

1

Archiv Daimler AG

1

Daimler AG

1

9

Ayrton Senna at the F1 tests in Estoril in 1984

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (1984) - Up-and-coming talent Ayrton Senna wins the Nürburgring Winner's Race on May 12, 1984

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (1984) - Opening race Nürburgring: Niki Lauda ahead of Carlos Reutemann, John Watson, Alain Prost and Denny Hulme. Already ahead: Ayrton Senna

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ayrton Senna wins the inaugural race of the new Grand Prix circuit at the Nürburgring, May 12, 1984 with 20 top racing drivers on 20 identical, then new Mercedes-Benz Type 190 E 2.3-16 (W 201)

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 956 (1984) - on the Grand Prix circuit at the Nürburgring

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 956 (1984) - with sponsor "new man" at the Nürburgring 1984

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 956 (1984) - Pit stop of the Pescarolo-Johansson-Senna car at the Nürburging 1984

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 956 (1984) - Pit stop at the 1984 Nürburgring race

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Porsche 956 (1984) - Ayrton Senna at the pit stop and refueling at the 1984 Nürburgring race

You have only

1 out of 9

images seen in high resolution

Mercedes Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (1984) - Nachwuchstalent Ayrton Senna gewinnt das Rennen der Nürburgring-Sieger am 12. Mai 1984

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (1984) – Eröffnungsrennen Nürburgring: Niki Lauda vor Carlos Reutemann, John Watson, Alain Prost und Denny Hulme. Schon enteilt: Ayrton Senna

Ayrton Senna gewinnt das Eröffnungsrennen des neuen Grand-Prix-Kurses auf dem Nürburgring, 12. Mai 1984 mit 20 Top-Rennfahrern auf 20 identischen, damals neuen Mercedes-Benz Typ 190 E 2.3-16 (W 201)

Porsche 956 (1984) - auf dem Grand-Prix-Kurs am Nürburgring

Porsche 956 (1984) - mit Sponsor "new man" auf dem Nürburgring 1984

Porsche 956 (1984) - Boxenstopp des Pescarolo-Johansson-Senna-Autos am Nürburging 1984

Summary

Ayrton Senna only drove a single Group C sports car race at a time when he was barely known. But even in this outing, the exceptional Brazilian talent impressed with his basic speed and his feel for the racing car he was unfamiliar with ...

This article contains the following chapters

Senna at the start
Ingenious analyst
New versus established men

Estimated reading time: 5min

Preview (beginning of the article)

What exactly happened on that rainy and cold Sunday (July 15, 1984) only became clear to everyone years later. A young Brazilian named Ayrton Senna da Silva completed a sports car race in a Group C car and caused a sensation. Afterwards, however, he immediately disappeared from the sports car scene... In 1984, Ayrton Senna was not nearly as well known as he later became. He was just completing his first Formula 1 season with Toleman and still had a little time for other things. So he was called to the Nürburgring on May 12, 1984. A prestigious one-make cup race with 20 identical Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16s was held to mark the opening of the brand-new Grand Prix circuit. Rarely before had such a density of celebrities been seen at a race in Germany.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

Continue reading this article for free?

Images of this article

Mercedes Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (1984) - Nachwuchstalent Ayrton Senna gewinnt das Rennen der Nürburgring-Sieger am 12. Mai 1984

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (1984) – Eröffnungsrennen Nürburgring: Niki Lauda vor Carlos Reutemann, John Watson, Alain Prost und Denny Hulme. Schon enteilt: Ayrton Senna

Ayrton Senna gewinnt das Eröffnungsrennen des neuen Grand-Prix-Kurses auf dem Nürburgring, 12. Mai 1984 mit 20 Top-Rennfahrern auf 20 identischen, damals neuen Mercedes-Benz Typ 190 E 2.3-16 (W 201)

Porsche 956 (1984) - auf dem Grand-Prix-Kurs am Nürburgring

Porsche 956 (1984) - mit Sponsor "new man" auf dem Nürburgring 1984

Porsche 956 (1984) - Boxenstopp des Pescarolo-Johansson-Senna-Autos am Nürburging 1984

Source: