Ayrton Senna

  Ayrton Senna

            Ayrton Senna is one of the most respected formula one drivers ever known to mankind. Ayrton Senna Da Silva was born on March 21, 1960 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His racing career started at the age of 4 in go-karts and he had his very first go-kart race at the age of 13 professionally.  He is an astonishing racecar driver and his strive to win was incredible because his only goal when he entered a race was to win; to achieve the first place. He didn't settle for anything less than that. He focused on the smallest niceties and thought out every detail as he steered across the race.

          He wasn’t just an amazing formula one driver but he was also an amazing human being. He was selfless, caring and giving. Senna died at the age of thirty-three with 41 victories, three World championships, 65 pole positions and 19 fastest lap in 161 races.  He died during The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix championship’s final race. On the day before Senna’s car crash there was also another race taking place, Austrian Ronald Ratzenberger died during that race. The death deeply upset Senna, reinforcing his safety concerns and made him consider retiring from the sport. Ironically, he spent his final morning meeting fellow drivers, determined after Ratzenberger's accident to take on a new responsibility to re-create the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, a Drivers' Safety group to increase safety in Formula One. Unfortunately Senna died that following day. After the crash an Austrian flag was found in Ayrton’s cockpit. He kept it there in hope that if he won the championship he would raise the flag of the country of Ronal Ratzenberger but Senna never lived to do so. The tragic death of the great racer was sudden and heartbreaking that even Brazil, a whole nation, mourned his death for three days. 

       It was even revealed that Senna donated millions of his money to the unprivileged in Brazil. He took care of his country and his people, no wonder was he immeasurably loved and idolized. His limitless thrive to succeed and his selflessness, to put other people's needs before his are all beautiful traits that resided in Senna. Whatever he did, was out of goodwill, even when no one was watching. The fact that he donated millions of his money anonymously shows us the true modesty of Aryton Senna. He was kind, compassionate and driven, he is what I call a true hero.

 “I don't know driving in another way which isn't risky. Each one has to improve himself. Each driver has its limit. My limit is a little bit further than other's.”-Ayrton Senna

“Wealthy men can't live in an island that is encircled by poverty. We all breathe the same air. We must give a chance to everyone, at least a basic chance.” -Ayrton Senna

 “You must take the compromise to win, or else nothing. That means: you race or you do not.” -Ayrton Senna