Ayrton Senna: A Tribute

Arguably the most revered and coveted Formula One driver of all time, Brazilian born Ayrton Senna Da Silva, stood out in an era dominated by a wealth of Formula One greats.

In an era with drivers like Nelson Piquet, Alain Prost, and Nigel Mansell, to name a few, he stood out. During his time people would look upon his driving with a sense of awe and mysticism. Following his death, his skill and determination to win have immortalized his every achievement.

Following his tragic death in the 1994 season, many fans felt a void had been left behind. His majestic performances and colourful personality have not been matched by the likes of Mika Hakkinen, Fernando Alonso and even Michael Schumacher in years gone by.

On the race track he was a dogged opponent. His craft and unrivalled determination to win often made him too hot to handle, even for the likes of Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell.

Over his ten year career fans were gifted by numerous displays of brilliance, be at a soaking wet 1984 Monaco Grand Prix, where he hunted down Alain Prost’s Mclaren at an alarming rate in a Toleman, or perhaps in 1993 where he overtook Karl Wendliger, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost at a torrentially wet Donnington race track in a single lap, despite having a considerable horsepower disadvantage.

And it was not just his masterful displays of supremacy on the race track which won so many fans hearts. He was a selfless humanitarian. His love and compassion for children in his native Brazil equaled his aggression and tenacity on the race track. Despite being a global superstar, he never ignored his country's national problems.

In a strange way, his death seems to have immortalized the legend of Ayrton Senna.

I myself, only seventeen years of age as I write this, am too young to  have experienced the hype around Ayrton. But as I've grown up, my passion for Formula One has developed and I have become more enthralled by stories concerning Ayrton Senna than what is going on in the current drivers championship.

Few drivers are blessed with the ability Aryton was born with and none, in my opinion, have achieved the volumes of brilliance he conjured up during his career. Never before had a driver been so exciting to watch and no one has been able to take his place.