The Brazilian Ayrton Senna da Silva (1960-1994) is probably one of the biggest legends of Formula 1 history. Considered one of, if not the best, his career was a struggle against the politics in the F1 paddock, but he kept on showing magic in whatever car he was racing, right up to the moment of his deadly accident during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. His life and career are documented in the 2010 movie Senna.

sources and starting point for more research:

Senna on imdb.com