Ayrton Senna da Silva ( March 21 , 1960 â `` May 1 , 1994 ) , better known as Ayrton Senna , was a Brazilian Formula 1 driver who won the championship three times , in 1988 , 1990 and in 1991 . Ayrton Senna da Silva ( pronounced ; March 21 , 1960 â `` May 1 , 1994 ) was a Brazilian racing driver and three-time Formula One world champion .