For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
An iconic photograph of Ayrton Senna is set for auction on the 25th anniversary of the legendary Formula 1 driver’s death.
Sports fans and the F1 world have paid tribute to the legendary Brazilian following his tragic passing during the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.
A signature shot from sports photographer Chris Smith during a practice session of the British Grand Prix in 1991 has now become available.
A number of images will be put up for sale at Chiswick Auctions on May 16, with the Senna picture set to attract bids of up to £3,000.
Senna’s legacy is secure, with the 2010 film ‘Senna’ attracting wide acclaim.
Show all 51 1 /51Ayrton Senna's career in pictures Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1983 After moving to England in 1981, Ayrton Senna went on to win the British Formula 3 championship, beating Martin Brundle (right) to the title.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1983 The championship battle went down to the final round where Senna prevailed.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1984 Senna made the step up to F1 with the Toleman-Hart team, having tested for the likes of McLaren and Williams.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1984 Senna displayed his talent in the rain by taking second place at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1985 A move to Lotus followed in 1985 where he clinched his first victory in his second race for the team at Estoril.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1985 Senna finished the year in fourth place in the championship.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1986 Sticking with Lotus for 1986, Senna again took two victories and finished the season in fourth.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1986 An image of Senna, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet became one of the most iconic photographs of the sport.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1987 Senna took his first victory at Monaco in 1987 in his third season with Lotus.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1987 Senna would go on to win the Monaco Grand Prix six times - more than any other driver to date.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1988 A third place finish in the 1987 season earned Senna move to McLaren alongside Alain Prost.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1988 The move started what would become one of the greatest rivalries ever seen in F1.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1988 Senna has captured the imagination of the Brazilian public who cheered his every move.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1988 Senna beat Prost to the championship to claim the first of three world championships.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1989 Prost and Senna continued to battle against each other in 1989.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1989 But their relationship within the McLean team had unravelled to the point that the pair would not talk to each other.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1989 Senna took his second victory in Monaco to start a run of five consecutive wins in the Principality.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1989 Prost and Senna were battling for the title at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1989 The pair crashed at the final chicane, putting Prost out of the race. Senna was given a push-start by marshals and rejoined to win the race.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1989 But the Brazilian was disqualified from the standings and given a fierce warning by the FIA, handing Prost the championship.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1990 Senna remained at McLaren for 1990 where Gerhard Burger replaced Prost, who has joined Ferrari.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1990 Senna had thought long and hard about leaving F1 in the winter, only to return for the new season.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1990 Senna's domination in Monaco continued.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1990 Senna and Prost's batte stretched throughout the season.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1990 Six wins throughout the season have Senna the lead heading into the penultimate race in Japan.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1990 Senna knew that if Prost did not finish the race, he would regain the world championship.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1990 The two went off at the first corner on the first lap after refusing to concede the lead to Prost, taking them both out of the race.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1990 Prost's retirement meant that Senna had won a second world championship.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1990 But Senna was clearly at odds with what he had done.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1991 The 1991 season proved one of Senna's best as he finally won the Brazilian Grand Prix for the first time.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1991 Another iconic moment in Senna's career came at the British Grand Prix when Nigel Mansell gave his championship rival Senna a lift back to the pits.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1991 Senna sealed his fourth victory in Monaco.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1991 Senna finished on the podium at 12 of the 16 grand prix in 1991.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1991 Senna clinched his third world championship to join the greats of the sport.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1992 Senna was not able to successfully retain the championship in 1992 but maintained his winning run in Monaco.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1992 Nigel Mansell won the 1992 world championship as Senna could only manage fourth, with seven retirements throughout the season.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1992 1992 also saw the emergence of Senna's last rival Michael Schumacher.
Bongarts/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1993 Senna drove one of the great drives to win the 1993 European Grand Prix at Donington Park as he overtook five cars in one lap.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1993 Senna won his sixth and final Monaco Grand Prix in 1993.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1993 Senna missed out on the title to the returning Alain Prost, who retired at the end of the season. Senna won his final race with McLaren before leaving.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1994 Senna moved to Williams where he partnered Damon Hill.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1994 Two straight retirements got the season off to a bad start, with Senna taken out at the first corner of the Pacific Grand Prix.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1994 Senna remained at trackside to listen to the Benetton being driver by Michael Schumacher, which he was convinced was using traction control
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1994 Senna speaks with doctor Sid Watkins after the death of Roland Ratzenberger during qualifying for the San Marino Grand Prix.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1994 The wrecked Williams left after Senna's fatal crash at Imola.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1994 Senna Williams is taken back to the pits after his crash, with the Brazilian pronounced dead later that day.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1994 Tributes were left at Imola in memory of Senna.
Bongarts/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1994 His funreal was attended by Brazilian president Itamar Franco among hundreds of thousands of mourners.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 1994 The 1994 season continued with a black cloud resting over it.
Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 2014 Senna's sister Vivianne has maintained her brother's legacy through the Ayrton Senna Foundation.
AFP/Getty Images
Ayrton Senna's career in pictures 2018 Lewis Hamilton was presented with a replica Senna helmet after matching his record of 65 pole positions at the 2018 Canadian Grand Prix.
Getty Images
Millions of fans worldwide are remembering Senna this week, with a lasting impact back home in Brazil.
“Ayrton represents a valuable asset to the country, a bright power for Brazil,” Senna’s sister Viviane told CNN in 2017.
Senna is remembered this week (Getty Images) “We are so pleased to be able to offer works by Chris Smith in our upcoming sale,” said Austin Farahar, head of Chiswick Auctions Photographica department.
“He is one of the most influential and pivotal figures in the field of sports photography. His iconic images have a narrative depth that captures not only the skill and strength of athletes, but also captures what drives them to succeed and the psychological characteristics that they possess.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies