Tribute to Senna - 20 years later

I became a fan of Formula 1 racing when I lived in Brazil.  I have absolutely no idea why, but every Sunday morning I remember watching F1 races on TV and became a fan of Nelson Piquet first as he was a World Champion 3 times.  Other Brazilians surfaced and I began to follow them even after I left Brazil.  One in particular that seemed to captivate the entire racing scene and country was Aryton Senna.  He was unlike any other, completely mesmerizing and unusually gifted and is still renowned today 20 years later as the greatest F1 driver ever.  He is still the reference by which others measure to.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of his death at Imola, the raceway of the Italian Grand Prix in 1994. Since then a bronze statue was placed there as a memorial to all his fans.  It captures his enigmatic aspect really well.  Rather than a victorious "Rocky Balboa" image, it show him sitting as if on the pit wall in his racing overalls with his head bowed, as if lost in thought.  This was the introspective Senna.

When he died it was an astronomical loss for Brazilians.  He had captivated his country and fans all over.  Not unlike Elvis, many people will remember that day, where they were, what they were doing, what time of day it was.  His funeral was enormous:  A million people attended and there was 3 days of official state mourning.  He was Brazil's hero.  Probably the closest thing to Pele that Brazil has yet produced.

Even the national soccer team, the single most important export the world knows Brazil for paid respects.  The same year he died, a few months later Brazil won their 4th unprecedented World Cup and dedicated the win to Senna.

I found him extremely fascinating beyond that of just being Brazilian.  I have spent many hours studying him both on and off the track.  He believed in God and often talked about Him as part of his driving.  He was generous to those who had less than he did.  He was competitive beyond belief but was so human, accessible and charismatic.  In one race he stopped when he saw another car crash and spinout onto the track and risked his life to get the driver out and actually saved his life. Senna saves Eric Comas (Video) He simply had achieved a level where he did things that no one else could. He was a game changer.

I will always remember the Yellow Helmet he is so well known for.  He wore it his entire career.  In my own way I join in with many others this day to remember him for what he was able to accomplish and the level of perfection he so desperately sought after his entire life.  He is very inspiring and left a deep and lasting impression with so many.