On a bleak day in November 1983, I was at Silverstone. Ken Tyrrell had promised a test drive to the Brit who finished highest in the British F3 championship. A 1981 car was wheeled out, Danny Sullivan set a mark and then Martin Brundle pulverized it. Ken had expected to be heading home before lunch, but he and Martin sat apart in the circuit’s “Greasy Spoon,” deep in conversation.
While we were building up our cholesterol, the Tyrrell mechanics were readying a current 012. That afternoon, Ken was beside himself. “I’ve been watching at Woodcote, and I’ve never seen anyone go through there that quick.” At the other end of the pit lane was Toleman, and they were testing Ayrton Senna who was lapping whole seconds, 2.6 seconds, quicker than anyone had lapped before. They were jumping up and down. It was sheer delight at both ends of the pit lane.
