Ayrton Senna: A Personal 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; Nelson Piquet, Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell to name a few. 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, in a sense, immortalised his every achievement. Following his tragic death in the 1994 season many fans feel a void has been left behind, his majestical performances and colourful personality have been unfulfilled 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 race 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 self- less humanitarian. His love and compassion for children in his native Brazil equalled his aggression and tenacity on the race track. Despite being a global superstar, he never ignored his countries national problems.      In a strange way his death seems to have immortalised the legend of Ayrton Senna. I myself, being only seventeen years of age as I write this, was too young to understand the hype around Ayrton. As I've grown up however my passion for Formula 1 has developed and 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 since his death no one really seems to have filled the void.