Former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt said on the High Performance podcast that Ayrton Senna wanted to join Ferrari but timing and existing 1994 contracts prevented a move to Maranello. Todt described the discussions as part of Ferrari’s early-1990s rebuilding effort.
Todt said talks began in August 1992 and were finalised in March 1993, and that he and Ayrton Senna spent part of the night talking at the 1993 Monza Grand Prix; Senna wanted to arrive in 1994 but Ferrari already had contracts with Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi for that season. Todt quoted Senna as dismissing the importance of contracts, which complicated negotiations.
Unable to reach a compromise on timing, Ayrton Senna signed with Williams for 1994, and Todt said Ferrari continued rebuilding with the same drivers through that year. Todt characterised Ferrari at the time as not successful and eager to find a driver to lead the turnaround.
This report is based on information originally published by Motorsport.
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