Video: Goodwood Festival of Speed: Alain Prost describes how Ayrton Senna's death changed Formula One On May 1 1994 Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna was killed on the track at Imola, on the seventh lap of the San Marino Grand Prix. He was 34. Through Senna's bitter rivalry with French driver Alain Prost, safety in the sport improved dramatically. The pair's bust-ups would also go on to influence a generation of aggressive drivers, including Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.