| It all happened for me one day during one of many | | | | far from being friendly as Prost had crashed in to |
| stays in South America, more specifically while in | | | | Senna during the last race of the 89 season which be |
| Santiago, Chile when I woke up early on a Sunday | | | | virtue of eliminating both drivers guaranteed Prost |
| morning in order to take advantage of the early light | | | | (who was slightly a head in the point standings) the |
| to get some good shots of my neighborhood. It was | | | | driver’s title. Senna however would not be |
| this place and time of the day that was ideal for me; | | | | outdone and it was the year that followed that he |
| who was a photographer way back then in 1992. | | | | would return the favor by crashing in to Prost in |
| | | | | another collision that would take both out of the final |
| It was on that Sunday in May after shooting a role | | | | race however on that occasion it was Senna who |
| of film that I decided to go home and catch the | | | | was leading in the point standings. |
| Formula one race on television; the Monaco Grand | | | | |
| Prix which I had heard so much about but had never | | | | By the time of the next Grand Prix without much |
| seen. If truth be let out I was not a car racing fan at | | | | room for doubt I had become a great fan of |
| the time as I really knew very little if anything about | | | | Senna’s as I saw him being to his sport what |
| car races other then the fact that they bored me | | | | Jordan was to basketball, or Maradona was to |
| stiff specially after having seen the American Indy | | | | football, or Louganis to diving. Naturally if the issue by |
| and NASCAR races which like other American | | | | his fans this he had millions not only in his native Brazil |
| sporting activities that include baseball simply held no | | | | where his popularity rose even above that of Pele (a |
| entertainment for me what so ever. | | | | football player whose greatness was almost equal to |
| | | | | Maradona’s) but all over South America where |
| With regards to formula one this after having seen | | | | he was idolized. |
| four races that season even I could see was | | | | |
| something different from what I had known before. | | | | The next race; the Canadian Grand Prix came with |
| For instances it was not cars doing laps around a | | | | Senna managing to win pole position but this was a |
| circle as was the case in America but a circuit and I | | | | feat he would only do once that season and as for |
| could see a lot to gather my passion and I perhaps | | | | the rest of the season much to my disappointment I |
| would have even become a great fan of the sport | | | | would only see Senna win two more races and finish |
| had it not been for the one factor. There was one | | | | in fourth place in the driver’s championship behind |
| man, “Nigel Mansell” driving for a team called | | | | Mansell in first, Patrese in second and Schumacher in |
| “Williams Renault” who had not only won all | | | | third. Despite this however Senna did win three races |
| four races that season but had lead them all from | | | | that season; this number being second only to |
| start to finish. It was not so much that I had | | | | Mansell’s nine races which broke the record for a |
| anything personal against this English driver but for | | | | single season which had been held by Senna with |
| me who was not a fan of the sport yet and far less | | | | eight. |
| one of his the fun of seeing one man win so easily | | | | |
| over the rest held no joy for me. | | | | With the 92 season over with as well as the year I |
| | | | | moved back to the States where I continued to |
| It was on that Sunday while watching this formula | | | | watch F 1 in the 93 season that would see |
| one race that I witnessed again how Nigel Mansell | | | | Senna’s team McLaren change engines from |
| was leading this race which like all the others that | | | | Honda (who withdrew from Formula one) to Ford |
| year he had lead from start to finish but on this | | | | which not by chance was also being used by the |
| occasion he was leading over Ayrton Senna Da Sylva | | | | Benetton team which Michael Schumacher was a |
| who found himself in second place. I after having | | | | driver for. The 93 season also brought along with it |
| watched four races had learnt that in this sport a | | | | other changes such as Mansell leaving Williams to be |
| two second lead was a big deal in fact sort of like in | | | | replaced by Prost while Senna’s teammate |
| slalom were half a second is a huge deal though | | | | Berger was replaced by Michael Andretti ( Indy |
| Mansell was not two seconds ahead of Senna but 30 | | | | champion as well as son of 1978 F 1 champion, Mario |
| seconds which for all intensive purposes might as well | | | | Andretti). Senna’s team was using new engines |
| have been an eternity specially since only nine laps | | | | but rather then shorten the gap between themselves |
| were remaining on a course were overtaking was | | | | and the Williams team they in fact widened it for |
| extremely difficult. | | | | now not only were their engines not as strong as |
| | | | | those of Williams but theirs were not even as |
| With regards to Ayrton Senna I had heard in the | | | | powerful as those of Benetton who had it in their |
| four races that I had watched that year that he was | | | | contract with Ford that they had exclusive rights to |
| one of the best but in truth I saw nothing in him that | | | | Ford’s most advanced engines. This meaning that |
| would have suggested this. He only had eight points | | | | Mclaren would constantly be getting Ford’s |
| in the standings which was far less then Mansell who | | | | second best engines after Benetton had finished with |
| already had forty and though I knew he was world | | | | them. |
| champion from the year before I could not figure out | | | | |
| what made people praise him as they did. I at that | | | | The season started with the first race taking place in |
| point was willing to turn to another channel were a | | | | South Africa where Senna took second place to Alain |
| football match from the Italian “Serie A” was | | | | Prost’s first place, while Schumacher took third |
| due to begin because even with what was my limited | | | | though. At one point during the race Schumacher had |
| knowledge at that time I could see that Mansell was | | | | been in second place only to be passed by Senna |
| almost a sure thing to win that day. | | | | when both came in to pits. Senna however like all |
| | | | | great ones was not one to lament so as the season |
| In recalling this day the only reason I turned on this | | | | continued he went on to win the next two races and |
| race was because I wanted to watch something | | | | three of the next six. One of these being again |
| before watching the “calcio” as we Italians | | | | Monaco like he had done the previous year and |
| call it and because I knew it took place on the | | | | another being in his native Brazil where once again he |
| streets of Monaco where I had once driven a car | | | | proved to by the master of wet conditions but |
| myself so it was with this in mind that I tuned in to | | | | however with the technological difference being |
| this race but I will never forget that moment when I | | | | enormous Alan Prost, another great driver in his own |
| was about to turn the channel thinking it was over | | | | right (finishing his career with 51 wins and four world |
| and perhaps if my old TV set had had a remote | | | | titles) would not be denied the 93 world title despite |
| control I would have done so quicker. All I remember | | | | what could be classified as Senna’s gallant effort. |
| was a scream naturally in Spanish coming from the | | | | |
| set “Ayrton Senna has taken first place”, this | | | | Prost in his Williams Renault went on to win seven |
| statement making me freeze as I wondered how | | | | out of sixteen races that year which clinched him the |
| that was even possible but as my eyes turned back | | | | world title for the forth time while Ayrton Senna in |
| to the screen the image only confirmed what had | | | | what I would call perhaps his finest season |
| been announced. | | | | considering all his disadvantages would go to win five |
| | | | | races and finish in second place (which to Senna |
| Senna was in first place because for some reason | | | | personally meant very little after having been three |
| which I had not really been paying attention to which | | | | time world champion) a head of both Damon Hill (also |
| I would find out later; Mansell had gone in to pits | | | | of Williams Renault and F 1 champion in 96) and |
| because he had blown a tire that for some strange | | | | Michael Schumacher (future seven time world |
| reason took his pit crew 39 seconds to fix (the norm | | | | champion) who in fact baring the Williams cars had |
| being far less). This was all the break that Senna | | | | the best car in F 1. |
| needed to take first place but taking first place was | | | | |
| one thing holding on to it with Mansell and his Williams | | | | Senna after the 93 season moved over to Williams |
| Renault which like many were saying was by far the | | | | Renault which prompted the retirement of Alain Prost |
| best car in the world at that time was a different | | | | from Formula One as he did not wish to be second |
| matter. True Senna had a nine second lead and it | | | | driver to Senna. To me at the time it seemed almost |
| was not so much that I wanted to see him win but | | | | a certain that Senna would be world champion in 94 |
| or that I wanted to see Mansell loose but I had had | | | | after all he had the best car though Benetton with |
| enough of watching a one man’s domination so it | | | | their Ford engines had truly shortened the gap in the |
| was unwillingly in fact that I started pulling for Senna | | | | off season between themselves and Williams. |
| to win more because I wanted to watch somebody | | | | Schumacher then at the age of 25 was a already a |
| else win for a change. | | | | great driver but he had not been able to beat Senna |
| | | | | in the previous season despite having the more |
| Mansell was gaining as his engine was clearly stronger, | | | | advanced car. |
| despite his having only ten cylinders in comparison to | | | | |
| Senna’s twelve but in spite of this he was | | | | The 94 season would turn out to be the last |
| quickly getting closer to the point were he even | | | | however for the man who had become an idol of |
| gained an almost incredible five seconds in one single | | | | mine as a blown engine would see him leave the first |
| lap. The lead had been cut to under a second this | | | | race of the season while being in second place after |
| putting Mansell so close to Senna’s car to make | | | | having been passed by Schumacher in pits though |
| one think that at any second he could overtake him; | | | | not in racing conditions. The second race like the first |
| as it seemed that he with three laps to go was | | | | would see Senna win pole position but again not the |
| practically breathing down Senna’s neck. Mansell | | | | race as a first lap collision on the very first turn |
| was going much faster, this point there was no | | | | would see Senna knocked out of the race which |
| arguing but despite it all he simply could not pass | | | | Schumacher like the previous race would go on to |
| Senna who was doing what even an untrained eye | | | | win. The season was shaping in to a strange one as |
| like mine at the time could see was a masterful job | | | | Senna twice had managed to get on pole but had |
| of blocking Mansell of from passing him. I could even | | | | not managed to finish either race due to first |
| see the despair in Mansell who was also a great | | | | mechanical difficulties and then a crash. |
| driver (though not as great) with a far superior car | | | | |
| doing everything he could to overtake but no matter | | | | It was after those two first races that San Marino |
| what steps he took this driver who a few months | | | | came which is known as the fastest race in Formula |
| ago I had not even heard of always managed to | | | | one. Perhaps there was something that weekend in |
| simply stay one jump ahead. | | | | Italy but what ever it was an Austrian driver named |
| | | | | Ratzenberger was killed that weekend during |
| Comedy was even to be found at how Senna | | | | practice. The third race like the first two of that |
| managed to keep from being passed as in truth he | | | | season saw Senna start from pole position with |
| practically spent that last three laps with | | | | Schumacher in second place but unlike the previous |
| Mansell’s front bumper touching his rear bumper | | | | two Senna kept his lead till another mechanical failure |
| and there were even those moments in which he | | | | as had been the case during the first race saw him |
| was almost side by side but try as Mansell might he | | | | crash in to concrete wall at a speed of 320 |
| just could not pass as Senna simply would not allow | | | | kilometers per hour. The sight was one my mind will |
| it. The final lap came and as Senna’s car crossed | | | | never get rid of: seeing Senna crash with his car |
| the finish line in first place (with Mansell, side by side a | | | | almost exploding as it hit that wall; the force of |
| fraction of a second behind) it blew its engine but | | | | which left Senna unconscious as he was taken to |
| this was no longer of consequence for the race was | | | | hospital by helicopter where he arrived in a coma |
| over. Senna had won the Monaco Grand Prix for the | | | | after which he passed away. I must admit tears was |
| third time in a row and forth in his career but how he | | | | my reaction as I heard the news that Senna had died |
| had managed to block of this car which was going so | | | | for he in the two years I had known of him had |
| much faster then his with a car that was about to | | | | become an idol to me not only because he could win |
| break down was something that made me admit | | | | races in Formula won in spite of having a car which |
| “Ok, he is as good as they said he is”. | | | | was at least as far as 92 and 93 far inferior to those |
| | | | | of his rivals but for his competitive nature which |
| Upon seeing this Brazilian cross the finish line I | | | | placed winning above everything. |
| cheered like I had rarely done for any sport that was | | | | |
| not football not only that he had won but the | | | | To many Senna was a man who was winner though |
| manner in which he had done it. Naturally with a | | | | one who was aloof, selfish, arrogant and |
| blown engine a car will not go to far and in a | | | | self-centered however to those whose opinion be |
| tremendous show of sportsmanship Nigel Mansell | | | | such I say that they have the right to think as they |
| allowed Senna to ride on his car to the podium where | | | | see fit but I also say to them to look at how he |
| he received his first place trophy with champagne | | | | once could have one a race as he was in first place |
| being poured on him by Mansell (second place) and | | | | and on the last lap with the driver’s championship |
| Ricardo Patrese (third place). Patrese being an Italian | | | | already his rather then rack up another win for |
| driver also from the Williams Renault team. As a foot | | | | himself allowed his team mate Gerhardt Berger to |
| note I remember that on that day a young driver | | | | get the victory. They might also consider how after |
| from Germany; Michael Schumacher came in fourth. | | | | the 92 season he congratulated Mansell for having |
| | | | | won; claiming Mansell had been the better driver who |
| There are moments in sports those who are fans will | | | | deserved to win and making no reference to how he |
| never forget. This holding true no matter what sport | | | | had had the better car which he did not use as an |
| we follow but to me this was one of them. Technical | | | | excuse. |
| information concerning the new sport or at least new | | | | |
| to me that had caught my passion which I read | | | | Many might ask if I believe Senna to have been |
| about after that Monaco Grand Prix was that unlike | | | | better then Schumacher and to those that do I |
| Indy racing; in this sport not all cars were equal and | | | | would say that with Formula One being a sport in |
| sometimes the difference between one racer’s | | | | which perhaps 85 percent of winning depends on the |
| car and the next was really enormous as was the | | | | car and so few on the driver it would be hard to say |
| case between Senna’s car and Mansell’s | | | | but I in my never humble opinion would say that he |
| that season. | | | | was as good. Schumacher naturally won more races |
| | | | | and world titles but then again Schumacher did race |
| Regarding Senna I also did my homework; finding out | | | | more years (almost twice as many) and without |
| that he was from Sao Paolo and that at the | | | | having to face such strong competition from the likes |
| relatively young age of 31 was already a three time | | | | of Prost, Mansell, Piquet or Lauda. I for my part ask |
| world champion in Formula One who had won a | | | | what would have happened and how great Formula |
| career total of 33 races which placed him in second | | | | One would have been if Senna and Schumacher |
| only to Alain Prost’s 44 on the all time list. | | | | would have gone on to hold the great rivalry that |
| Concerning his relationship with Alan Prost; this was | | | | should have been had Senna lived on. |