Jump to content


Photo

Senna, Berger, the stories and the jokes...


  • Please log in to reply
9 replies to this topic

#1 molive

molive
  • Member

  • 9,799 posts
  • Joined: March 99

Posted 28 December 2000 - 17:57

It´s part of F1 history now. The duo Berger and Senna and the practical jokes they played on each other during their time at McLaren (it was more like Gerhard playing jokes on Ayrton, actually).

Once, when they were spending a few days in Port Douglas (Australia), Senna found his hotel room filled with frogs. Frogs in his bed, his clothes, all the drawers, etc. He told Berger: you´re an idiot! I spent all night catching frogs and throwing them out! To what Berger replied: What about the snake? and that´s how Senna did not sleep very well for the three days they remained at the hotel...


I also remember reading that Berger once threw Senna´s briefcase out of the Helicopter. I can just imagine Senna´s face...:) I´m pretty sure Gerhard was a big part of the changes AS went through in the latter stages of his life, when he was visibly lighter, allowing himself to smile and make jokes with everybody.

So, do ya know any of those stories?




Advertisement

#2 Indian Chief

Indian Chief
  • Member

  • 2,812 posts
  • Joined: November 98

Posted 29 December 2000 - 06:05

In Sid Watkins' book, he mentions that Senna was supposed to have dinner with Watkins' family at Spa. But Senna came late because Berger had filled all of Senna's shoes with butter!

And it was Berger who influenced Senna to confront Irvine at Suzuka 1993.

I am sure that I have read more, but I can't remember them right now.

#3 daedalus

daedalus
  • Member

  • 90 posts
  • Joined: April 99

Posted 29 December 2000 - 14:25

Once Senna was passing by Buenos Aires in his way to Brazil and, as he usually did, called up his "friend" Manuel Fangio to have a dinner together.

Fangio passed by to pick up Ayrton at the hotel, and when they were in the elevator some guy walked in, looked in disbelief, and quickly pressed the button to get out, mumbling something to the effect of "Senna and Fangio, Senna and Fangio! My son would never believe if I told him I took the elevator with the two best drivers ever...I better get out quick...."

(it´s not a Berger/Senna story, but it´s a good one) :)

#4 kenny

kenny
  • Member

  • 2,030 posts
  • Joined: February 99

Posted 29 December 2000 - 18:34

touching story, seems like Berger gave Senna his last smile :(

Josef Leberer, one of the most important people in Ayrton's life, told me a story about the start at Imola. The announcer was giving the starting postions; there was an applause for Senna, and then a louder applause for Berger, of course on account of Ferrari. The special applause for me had really amused Senna; according to Josef he grinned from ear to ear. So, as I remember Ayrton Senna I will imagine this grin, perhaps his last expression of warmthheartdness before the accident. (Gerhard Berger)

:( :( :(

#5 kenny

kenny
  • Member

  • 2,030 posts
  • Joined: February 99

Posted 29 December 2000 - 18:41

Senna tricked Berger:

He turned Berger's hotel room upside down, and his racing overalls had disappeared, Berger would turn op on the tarmac in front of the Mclaren truck, wearing just his underwear, he had been rushing around desperatly, while Senna watched... (hungary 91)


Both of them also tricked Josef Lberer once.
The replaced his 4 wheels on his car, with 4 wooden bloks,,,
;)

#6 AD

AD
  • Member

  • 3,364 posts
  • Joined: January 00

Posted 29 December 2000 - 19:31

Also remember the story of when Berger put in a picture of a naked lady into Senna's passport!!!

#7 911

911
  • Member

  • 2,227 posts
  • Joined: April 99

Posted 30 December 2000 - 18:58

Berger was really a blessing for Senna, much like Laffite was for Prost. Although Laffite was there to keep Prost's mind at ease away from the track, Berger was such a prankster! You could really see that Senna had lightened up in '91.

Gerhard should write a book about his times w/ Senna. I'm sure it would be quite hilarious!

PS: Kenny, nice story about Senna & Berger at Imola, '94.

#8 molive

molive
  • Member

  • 9,799 posts
  • Joined: March 99

Posted 31 December 2000 - 18:59

Indeed Berger was a real friend of Senna, in F1 those are pretty rare. Ayrton gifting Gerhard the win at Suzuka after he had clinched the WDC only shows how much he appreciatted this friendship.

Let's all email Berger and give him the idea of the book! (I'm sure someone already must have told him) Anyone knows what's the address? I'm sure there are plenty of those fun moments that we have never heard of.

#9 doohanOK

doohanOK
  • Member

  • 2,133 posts
  • Joined: May 99

Posted 02 January 2001 - 05:48

What about the time Ayrton got Gerhard's credit cards and stuck them all together with a big bolt/screw!

Unfortunate we lack that larrikinism in F1.

regards,
doohanOK.

#10 Ross Stonefeld

Ross Stonefeld
  • Member

  • 70,106 posts
  • Joined: August 99

Posted 02 January 2001 - 06:01

I must have a bad sense of humour, but if someone screwed with my passports id be seriously ticked off. All the customs officials ive dealt wouldnt find it funny either, at least in the US :(

How Berger and Senna didnt get kicked out of their hotels is beyond me