There were two challenges: while Bercy had to build a track, [you] had to convince Senna to come. Was it easy?
Philippe Streiff: Well, I was lucky to start my Formula 1 career with Ayrton Senna so I had the privilege to compete alongside him for four or five years in Formula 1, sixteen races a year. Connections are made that way, so he came to this first edition out of friendship for me, I’d say, and also thanks to the fact that Alain Prost had endorsed the project and told me at the 1993 Monaco Grand Prix that he would be there with me in December.
In a nutshell, Senna said he would come if Prost came?
Streiff: Yes, many times between the 1993 Monaco Grand Prix and December of that year, Senna asked me: “Is it true, will Alain be there?”. I said: “Absolutely, he’s promised, he’ll be there. This will be you two’s last duel.”
(Interview with TF1, in French here 2:50-3:46)
