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Ayrton Senna once rode an F-111 fighter jet ahead of Australian GP in Adelaide

Somin Bhattacharjee
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Ayrton Senna once rode an F-111 fighter jet ahead of Australian GP in Adelaide

Ayrton Senna was one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, and also one of the most popular. The three-time World Champion tragically lost his life in a fatal crash at the 1994 San Marino GP, but he continues to inspire stars of the sport, even today.

The likes of Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo have revealed that Senna was their first racing idol. 28 years have passed since that fateful afternoon at Imola, but fans still remember him and the legacy he left behind in F1, both on and off the track.

Recently, an image of him riding on a fighter jet surfaced on social media. Ahead of the 1991 Australian GP, the Brazilian legend suited up to take a ride on the RAAF F-1111 in Adelaide. The F-111 is an American-made, medium-range supersonic aircraft that was being used by the Royal Australian Airforce.

Also read: “I have a lot of respect for Daniel Ricciardo” – Lando Norris says he will “miss” him at McLaren next year

Ayrton Senna was Michael Schumacher’s rival while growing up

Michael Schumacher broke all records during his prime years in F1. He won seven World Championships, five of which came with Ferrari, and to this date, no driver has won more titles than he has. Hamilton, of course, is tied with the German at seven. However, that is not the only thing these two colossal racing figures have in common.

Like Hamilton, Schumacher too idolized Senna during his junior career. He cited the Sao Paolo-born driver as an inspiration at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony. During the ceremony, Schumacher recalled watching Senna drive when he was just 10 years old.

There was a tremendous amount of respect between the two of them, with Senna praising the former Ferrari driver for his ‘extraordinary natural speed.’

“Michael Schumacher is very strong,” said Senna back in the day. “He has an extraordinary natural speed and for this reason I respect and respect him. But I liked some behaviors less than him, who knows, one day we will become friends”

In the year 2000, Schumacher overtook Senna’s record of most race wins and broke down when a reporter revealed the stat to him in a press conference. They have a combined total of 10 World Championships to their name.

Also read: Ayrton Senna was discussing a deal with Ferrari just 4 days before his tragic death, reveals former Ferrari boss

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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