Formula 1 has been the pinnacle of motor racing since its inception. It requires high levels of determination and God-gifted talent to excel in a sport like this. Ayrton had that God given gift like no other driver. Watching him dance with his car on the rainy streets of Monaco is one of the most beautiful things anyone will ever get to see.
Even though he came from a family that was financially well equipped to support his ambitions of becoming a racing driver, nothing came easy. He had to work his way to the premier racing series. There has been no driver more honest and humbler than Senna himself. He was never interested in the politics of the sport and didn’t play that part pretty well. He was all about racing, pure racing. His first podium came in his debut season in a Toleman-Hart which was significantly weaker than any other car on the grid, finishing 2nd. Winning his first championship title in 1988, paved the way for the Senna-Prost rivalry that was about to ensue in the coming seasons.
Brazil was under the rule of the regime at the time, which resulted in very serious social problems in the country. But Senna was able to provide that little bit of joy that was much needed for the people of his country. He worked extensively to help the children of a poverty-struck Brazil. Senna was an emotionally driven man. From ’86 to ’92 he produced some of the most spectacular drives of formula 1. One of his best and most emotional drives came in 1991 in Brazil where his gearbox was stuck in 6th gear and had to nurse his way in one gear for the final 7 laps. With excruciating pain, he finished 1st but wasn’t able to get out of the car as his body spasmed violently. He was a hero to the Brazilian people, yet ever so humble was Senna.
He had his fair share of bad luck, having been disqualified for appalling reasons in the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix which put the title from Senna’s hands into Prost’s. He was mightily disappointed, but never gave up. He always fought back against what he thought were the “dark forces”. He was a very spiritual man and an aggressive driver. One of his famous quotes was – “If you no longer go for a gap that exists, you no longer are a racing driver”.
Despite all the controversies surrounding Senna and Prost, Senna was widely loved by the people, not only from Brazil but everyone from the formula 1 community. The three-time world champion might not have the same number of titles as many other legends of formula 1 but he had that special something that is lacking in the drivers of today. One could easily see the passion in Senna’s eyes. For me, and for many other formula 1 fans, Ayrton Senna will forever be the best the sport has ever seen.
