Today would be 65 years old one of the greatest, if not the greatest, drivers of all time, Ayrton Senna. One can only guess how many world championship titles he would have won in addition to the three he already has, if not for the black Saturday of Formula 1 in Imola...
But during his short journey on Earth, he has blessed us with countless fantastic moments and interesting facts about his existence, how he has affected fans, athletes and the media. For example, did you know that…
A luxury skyscraper in Brazil has been named after him? The Senna Tower, being built on the beautiful Balneário Camboriú beach, will be 509 meters high and its name is not the only thing that connects it to the legend. The magnificent building is being designed by none other than Ayrton's niece, Lalalli Senna!
Did you know that his great rival Alain Prost offered him McLaren? At that time, there was no trace of what would later become known as the greatest rivalry in Formula 1 history.
Did you know that it was by chance that Erik Comas, one of the drivers, saw him live for the last time, the one whose life Senna had saved two years earlier? On that fateful, sad day, right after the accident, the track was banned, but Comas entered the track due to a communication error and chaos. When he reached Tamburello, all he felt was "Senna's soul flying away..." After the incident, Comas burst into tears and repeated that he would never race again. He retired at the end of the season...
They say that the "spirit of place": Well, the place where Senna died really does have something about it. The writer of these words walked the track in Imola, felt the fate intertwined with silence, the breath of transience, the soul of Senna.
Happy birthday and happy racing on the heavenly racetracks, Ayrton !
Photo: McLaren
