This photograph was taken at the 1990 Australian Grand Prix, which was the 500th Formula One race held. Ayrton Senna is all grins after taking the world title at the previous race at Suzuka.
Together, these three men have become world champions eleven times: Senna in 1988, 1990 and 1991, Juan Manuel Fangio in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1957 with Sir Jack Brabham in 1959, 1960 and 1966.
Senna’s manner of taking the 1990 title is why Alain Prost refused to be on the picture. After complaints of his pole position being on the dirty side of the track, Senna rammed Prost’s Ferrari—and his McLaren with it—off the road in the first corner, as seen here from Nigel Mansell’s point of view:
To appreciate the sheer title density of the photograph, consider that it took until Michael Schumacher’s decision on Wednesday to fill in for the injured Felipe Massa for the entire current grid to have as many world titles as the three gentlemen pictured. Schumacher’s seven add to Alonso’s two and Hamilton’s and Räikkönen’s one each to bring the total to eleven.
Photo Credit: DAVID CALLOW/AFP/Getty Images