Ayrton Senna ended his six-year association with McLaren with victory at the Australian Grand Prix, his fifth of the season and as it turned out the last of his career. For Alain Prost, who had already secured his fourth championship, it was his final grands prix. "It was difficult," he said, "thinking it's the last time you will put your helmet on, put on your gloves, get into the car and think about the start." Senna at least showed signs of trying rapprochement with his estranged former team-mate on the podium but Prost warned: "I don't think now is the right moment to talk about peace. I think it's important to make peace when you are driving, but the last time I tried to do that, one month later he crashed into my car at 170mph deliberately. I am not a hypocrite. For me, it's too late now."
1956
Born on this day in Lewisham, Jonathan Palmer qualified as a doctor before entering the world of motorsport. After dominating the British Formula Three Championship in 1981 and then Formula Two in 1983, he drove first for RAM and then Zakspeed in Formula One, although he had shown well in a one-off drive with Williams in the 1983 European Grand Prix. He then started a three-year liaison with Tyrrell. In his first season, 1987, he won the Jim Clark Cup as best non-turbo driver, but 1988 was a disaster with a poor car. His career was briefly revitalized by the 018 chassis in 1989, only for him to be overshadowed by Jean Alesi in the latter half of the season. After that, Palmer, with some realistic self-appraisal, decided his career was over. He commentated for the BBC and then formed his own junior formula - Formula Palmer Audi - for 1998. A multi-millionaire, he now runs a number of circuits.
1968
Ian Raby died on this day, three months after a serious accident at Zandvoort in a Formula Two race. He was initially treated in the Netherlands before being flown back to a London hospital by the Grand Prix Medical Service and appeared to be recovering before his condition worsened. A superstitious man, he carried a rabbit's foot, preferred red cars with white wheels and refused to race under No. 13. He raced in three grands prix between 1963 and 1965.
