In the late eighties and early nineties, Formula One was at its most explosive, with thrilling races, charismatic drivers, nail-biting climaxes - and the most deadly rivalry ever witnessed in sport. Two of Formula One's most honoured champions and iconic figures drove together for McLaren for two seasons, and their acrimonious and hostile relationship extended even after one of them had left the team.

ALAIN PROST, France's only F1 world champion, the intelligent, smooth driver with the epithet 'Le Professeur'.

AYRTON SENNA, the mercurial kid from a privileged background in Sao Paolo who would become the most intense and ruthless racing driver the world has ever seen.

It was a story that would have a tragic ending.

As the great rivals raced to victory, their relationship deteriorated badly, beginning with the breaking of a gentleman's agreement, and public spats followed, culminating in Prost accusing Senna of deliberately trying to ride him off the circuit, and fearful that the Brazilian would get someone killed with his daring overtaking feats. And the final, sad act of this drama happened at the San Marino Grand prix at Imola in May 1994, when Senna was killed.

Featuring a rare interview with Prost, and insight from Martin Brundle, Damon Hill, Sir Frank Williams, Bernie Ecclestone, Derek Warrick, Johnny Herbert, Gerhard Berger, plus McLaren insiders and other F1 figures, Malcolm Folley provides us with a breath-taking account of one of the all-time classic sporting rivalries.

Malcolm Folley is an award-winning sports writer who was Chief Sports Reporter for the Mail on Sunday for over twenty two years. With over thirty-nine years experience as a staff writer on national newspapers, he has travelled the world reporting tennis, football, formula one, rugby, and thirteen Olympic Games.

He has written six books, including Senna versus Prost, a chronicle of the greatest rivalry in F1 history.

He lives in Surrey with his wife Rachel and has two daughters, Siân and Megan.