Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher rivalry is, to this day, the most famous motorsport rivalry in records. Their rivalry was during one of the most competitive moments in that era of Formula 1 when each represented their own time and style of driving.
Scoring and Achievements
Michael Schumacher managed to collect a whopping number of 3961 points with only 1874.5 managed by Senna. This is a testament to Schumacher’s career span and the revision of scoring system that benefited him within his working years.
Also, aided by 91 wins, Schumacher’s record has also eclipsed Senna’s 41 wins proving to be significant over a longer time duration of competition.
Podiums and Poles
Schumacher’s 155 podium finishes and 68 pole positions further support his qualifying skills and consistency while Senna, whose pole position speed was neck and neck with Schumacher, had 65 poles in less races showing his advantage in one lap speed.
Winning the Fastest Lap and Hattricks
Schumacher’s lead in winning the most fastest laps (77) and most hattricks (22) clearly shows his capability to perform in every area of a race weekend including the practice and qualifying days. Meanwhile, the record of Senna displays a limited amount of fastest laps (4) and hattricks (7), thus, proving that he was mostly in his element during racing.
Trophies
Another factor in professional sports history that distinguishes Schumacher from all others is 7 championships and 3 of Senna.
Chapter of Senna
While defining the late 80s early 90s racing years, Senna was an expression of incredible speed, fierce will, and dexterous aggressiveness behind the wheel, aspects of racing, which he mastered well. His early racing career centered around rivalries with other drivers, Alain Prost being one of them, but as the new decade of the nineties started, hands emerged and gestured towards him as the more superior driver.
Michael Schumacher Rising
With the arrival of Schumacher in racing, he particularly blended techinical know how and race strategy to assert himself in no time. Their contrast reached a peak during the mid 1990s when they were caught up in a power struggle to control the front row. Senna commanded much admiration and inspired a lot of fanfare during racing but Schumacher improved racing performance over the decades and won more titles than Senna.
| Ayrton Senna | Stat | Michael Schumacher |
|---|---|---|
| 1874.5 | Points | 3961 |
| 41 | Wins | 91 |
| 80 | Podiums | 155 |
| 65 | Poles | 68 |
| 161 | Total GPs | 306 |
| 11.64 | Points / GP | 12.94 |
| 0.25 | Wins / GP | 0.3 |
| 0.5 | Podiums / GP | 0.51 |
| 0.4 | Poles / GP | 0.22 |
| 4 | Fastest laps | 77 |
| 3 | Times champion | 7 |
| 7 | Hattricks | 22 |
| 1 | Best GP position | 1 |
| no | Active driver | no |
| 1984 | First season | 1991 |
| 1994 | Last season | 2012 |
| 11 | Seasons in F1 | 19 |
| 252 | Highest points streak (over seasons) | 514 |
| 252 | Highest points streak (in a season) | 387 |
| 4 | Highest win streak (over seasons) | 7 |
| 4 | Highest win streak (in a season) | 7 |
| 8 | Highest podium streak (over seasons) | 19 |
| 8 | Highest podium streak (in a season) | 17 |
Finally
Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher make up the two most important and iconic age levels of Formula 1. Their numbers tell different stories, Senna as the artist with a bleary ring in his eyes and Schumacher as a calm engineer. The two contributed in their own way to the development of motorsport and exceptionally have fueled many fans and racers throughout lives. Events surrounding them were of great engagement and full of respect which is always remembered in the history of F1 racing.
