188 replies to this topic

[jeze]

Time flies by so fast, it's hard to believe it was now 15 years ago the accident occured. Ayrton Senna would've been 49 today, and presumably the president of Brazil. Instead, due to insanely bad luck he lies in the Morumbi graveyard, gone but not forgotten!

Let's all remeber a man, who had his weaknesses, but in the whole picture, still a class act Does anyone know at which time he smashed the wall?

[MWM]

...and presumably the president of Brazil.

That's quite a large degree of presumption.

[Arska]

Along with Jim Clark, the greatest loss of F1.

[MegaManson]

Along with Jim Clark, the greatest loss of F1.

And Gilles Villeneuve

I remember the Grandstand broadcast as if it was yesterday with Gilles

Senna was a flawed genius

[MegaManson]

And RIP Roland Ratzenburger, he died that weekend too

He may have achieved less than Senna but he still lost his life doing what he loved

[MWM]

http://en.wikipedia....fatal_accidents

[GreyKitten]

I can't believe it's 15 years. I so clearly remember calling out to my husband 'I don't believe it, he's gone and crashed out again' and then a short while later going to the kitchen and saying to him 'Oh sh!t, this looks serious...'

It only really hit me a few days later, I was on a bus and there was a thunderstorm. A child was sitting behind me with his dad and was a bit nervous - his dad said, don't worry, it's only Ayrton Senna revving his car up in heaven..................

Cue me leaving the bus in floods of tears, everybody staring at me like I was mad, and walking home

[COUGAR508]

F1 has never been the same for me since that day. RIP Ayrton.

[MegaManson]

He died doing what he loved though, driving flat out on the limit

In a way it was a fitting end as he "died with his boots on"

Better way to go than say Gunnar Nillson dying in some soulless cancer ward or Carlos Pace / Graham Hill dying in aircraft

[brunopascal]

Rest In Peace, Senna

I remember following the race over radio because there was a family gathering I had to attend that day. I remember when they announced Senna had crashed, and I thought it was bad but he'll be ok. But he didn't. A very sad day.

Does anyone know at which time he smashed the wall?

14.17 local time he crashed, and was pronounced dead at 18.40.

[Dudley]

The annual TNF jaunt to RC... always good.

[MWM]

He died doing what he loved though, driving flat out on the limit

In a way it was a fitting end as he "died with his boots on"

Better way to go than say Gunnar Nillson dying in some soulless cancer ward or Carlos Pace / Graham Hill dying in aircraft

Yes - but I'm sure if you asked current drivers if they'd rather die driving an F1 car soon, or of something else at the age of 90, they'd select the latter.

The only thing I enjoy doing that I would be happy to die whilst doing is sleeping, but, again, not for a few years hence.

Edited by MWM, 30 April 2009 - 20:28.

[potmotr]

Instead, due to insanely bad luck he lies in the Morumbi graveyard

You are dead right about that, it was insanely bad luck.

Of all the monster crashes over the years where wheels have been ripped off, it is so sad that Ayrton was killed by a suspension arm puncturing his helmet.

There has been discussion on another page somewhere about Ayrton's helmet that day having been intentionally ground down inside, giving it a particularly thin skin to save weight.

Not sure whether this would have made a difference but it is interesting.

[wewantourdarbyback]

Shall we just keep this thread as a remembrance and leave the how and why discussions for another thread?

[potmotr]

Shall we just keep this thread as a remembrance and leave the how and why discussions for another thread?

If you wish.

[scheivlak]

Shall we just keep this thread as a remembrance and leave the how and why discussions for another thread?

And leave nonsense like "presumably the president of Brazil" just like that?
C'mon.
That's one of the most silly and ridiculous things ever posted on this forum.

It's like being a race driver isn't enough, for one thing.

Edited by scheivlak, 30 April 2009 - 21:55.

[potmotr]

And leave nonsense like "presumably the president of Brazil" just like that?
C'mon.
That's one of the most silly and ridiculous things ever posted on this forum.

Not so. It has been widely documented that Senna felt his career after racing would involve giving something back to the people of Brazil and trying to do more for the under privelged. He could easily have gone into politics to achieve this goal.

Carlos Reutemann is doing the same thing in Argentina.

[scheivlak]

Not so. It has been widely documented that Senna felt his career after racing would involve giving something back to the people of Brazil and trying to do more for the under privelged. He could easily have gone into politics to achieve this goal.

Carlos Reutemann is doing the same thing in Argentina.

And isn't president yet....
"Could" "easily" "have gone" "into politics" "to achieve his goal" - not really the same as 'elected president' IMHO.... (insert not found wink smiley....)

[911]

Yes - but I'm sure if you asked current drivers if they'd rather die driving an F1 car soon, or of something else at the age of 90, they'd select the latter.

If that is true (which I actually think there's a lot truth in it), then that is what's sadly missing with today's racing. If you asked that same question to the drivers in the '50s, '60s & '70s they would say they'd rather die driving in an F1 car because that was the reality of the sport back then.

Back to the topic: I know he wasn't perfect, but Ayrton Senna da Silva will always be my favorite Grand Prix driver. And, for me, the sport hasn't been the same since he left us. RIP, Ayrton.

[potmotr]

And isn't president yet....
"Could" "easily" "have gone" "into politics" "to achieve his goal" - not really the same as 'elected president' IMHO.... (insert not found wink smiley....)

I think the original poster was being generous in his praise of Ayrton to kick off the thread.

No harm intended was my reading of it.

Anyway, it would be facinating to see what a great man like Senna might have done after retirement.

If we look at the lives of the multiple world champions Senna competed against after they retired...

Lauda - Ran and flew for his personal airline Lauda Air before merging with Austrian Air and being forced out. A number of different business ventures and works as a pundit on German broadcaster RTL.

Piquet - Attempt to qualify for the 1992 Indy 500 ended in horrific lower leg injuries. But set up pioneering company which uses GPS to track trucks in South America. Hugely successful and Piquet is now a very wealthy man.

Prost - Tested for McLaren and still races and wins in the Andros Trophy ice racing competition. Bought Ligier F1 team, named it after himself but didn't cover himself in glory as a boss. Went bust after the 2001 season.

Hakkinen - Got the racing bug out of his system in the DTM. Now works as a brand ambassador for Johny Walker whiskey.

Schumacher - Hobby bike racer (and an accident prone one at that), cigar smoker, has mysterious role at Ferrari, oversees the kart career of son Mick and generally appears to be chilling out and liking life.

Personally I think Senna would have wanted to do something beyond making money. I think he'd wanted to give something back to Brazil and politics would be an avenue where he could bring about real change.

But we'll never know, which is tragic even after 15 years.

[HP]

R.I.P Ayrton Senna

As for his political career. Not sure that a political career is the best way to help a country move forward.

Besides, Brazil has been rather on the up over the last decades. Could have Senna made an even better job? We never know.

During his career he could have been a goodwill ambassador for an UN organization, like some other F1 drivers.

Edited by HP, 30 April 2009 - 23:47.

[911]

Wow, I didn't Piquet Sr. had that GPS business. Very impressive. Thanks for sharing.

[Madera]

Here's where it all started!



R.I.P. Ayrton.

That day still has me in tears.

I still can't get over it.

Just not right.

[senna da silva]

Simply the best!

Ayrton will always be missed.

Edited by senna da silva, 01 May 2009 - 00:57.

[J2NH]

For years after his Senna's death the Williams cars bore the Senna "S" on the inside of the vertical attachment for the front wing of their cars as a tribute. I seem to remember it as recently as 06, does anyone know if they still do it?

RIP Ayrton, and thank you for the memories.

[Keke Rosberg]

For years after his Senna's death the Williams cars bore the Senna "S" on the inside of the vertical attachment for the front wing of their cars as a tribute. I seem to remember it as recently as 06, does anyone know if they still do it?

RIP Ayrton, and thank you for the memories.

yes the Senna logo is still on the Williams front wing, underneath the nose.

[cheapracer]

Here's where it all started!



R.I.P. Ayrton.

That day still has me in tears.

I still can't get over it.

Just not right.

After 15 years may I honestly suggest you talk to somebody because thats not right.

[Craven Morehead]

I will never forget that weekend. Senna was the most gifted driver I ever saw, delicately balanced on the edge of genius and... His personality was remarkable too, he had true 'star power' out of the car; moreso than any other F1 pilot I can recall. He did some great work for underpriveledged children, and this legacy continues with his foundation. I was just dumbfounded that it could happen to him & 15 years on it still stings. A lot. My eight year old knows who he was.

Bizzarely, less than a month ago I dreampt that I was attending a race in some backwater with an ex-girlfriend. and we met Senna there. She said to me that he seemed very 'alone'. Strange.

Rest in Peace Ayrton Senna Da Silva. You will never be forgotten, champion.

Edited by Craven Morehead, 02 May 2010 - 03:19.

[Nobody]

RIP Senna - "a greater man out of the car than in it." Frank Williams

[MegaManson]

It is pointless speculating what he could have done post F1 had he survived Imola

He could have won 3 more titles and then accidently stepped out infront of a bus, we will never know

But his death is the worst thing that has ever happened to F1, not because he personally died but because of what has been done since his death in terms of the extreme obsession with safety and the butchering of great tracks and corners

[pRy]

Not sure whether this would have made a difference but it is interesting.

It wouldn't have made any difference. The visor was struck, not the helmet.

[D.M.N.]

R.I.P. Ayrton.

http://news.bbc.co.u...one/3605323.stm - Senna article
http://news.bbc.co.u...one/8027912.stm - Originally shown on Jan 1st, 1995

Edited by D.M.N., 01 May 2009 - 07:23.

[Craven Morehead]

Great write up on Senna here: official fia f1 pages, hall of fame

[I_hate_chicanes]

Best...Driver..Ever. RIP

[DOF_power]

It is pointless speculating what he could have done post F1 had he survived Imola

He could have won 3 more titles and then accidently stepped out infront of a bus, we will never know

But his death is the worst thing that has ever happened to F1, not because he personally died but because of what has been done since his death in terms of the extreme obsession with safety and the butchering of great tracks and corners

No he couldn't.

[DOF_power]

R.I.P. A. Senna.
But he was just a race driver.

[MWM]

But his death is the worst thing that has ever happened to F1, not because he personally died but because of what has been done since his death in terms of the extreme obsession with safety and the butchering of great tracks and corners

But you could argue that a concellation to come out of Senna's tragically premature demise is the same thing, i.e. a sport that has moved safety up the agenda. Is it really good for the sport to lose its best performers through dying during participation?

Do you really think that safety levels should not have improved since the 1950's?

Fifteen drivers died in the 1950s; twelve in the 1960s; ten in the 1970s; four in the 1980s and two in the 1990s. No drivers have been involved in a fatal accident since 1994.

Sure, not all safety improvements have been perfect, but moving from an average of over 1 death per season to 0 deaths per season seems good justification for improving circuits.

Edited by MWM, 01 May 2009 - 07:56.

[Dudley]

^^ Of course "Stopping racing" would mean no deaths. I think the point the poster is making is there comes a point where you've ruined things to the point where you might as well not bother anymore. Of course both of us might disagree with him where that point is.

No he couldn't.

Why not? 1994,1996 and 1997 would all have been within his grasp for a start and that's assuming he couldn't have taken the fight to Michael in 1995.

Not saying he WOULD but it's by no means a stretch that he COULD.

Edited by Dudley, 01 May 2009 - 08:10.

[Hacklerf]

15 years.. wow... seem like yesterday

[MegaManson]

No he couldn't.

Hill took it to the final race in 94 so Senna would almost have certainly won 94

1995 maybe not

1996 the Williams was utterly dominant

1997 JV made a dogs dinner of the whole thing but still won the title

Senna in 1997 would have been 37 years old, younger than when Mansell won the title and same age as Schumi was still showing great sharpness

I have no doubt he would have won 94,96,97 titles

[MegaManson]

But you could argue that a concellation to come out of Senna's tragically premature demise is the same thing, i.e. a sport that has moved safety up the agenda. Is it really good for the sport to lose its best performers through dying during participation?

Do you really think that safety levels should not have improved since the 1950's?

Fifteen drivers died in the 1950s; twelve in the 1960s; ten in the 1970s; four in the 1980s and two in the 1990s. No drivers have been involved in a fatal accident since 1994.

Sure, not all safety improvements have been perfect, but moving from an average of over 1 death per season to 0 deaths per season seems good justification for improving circuits.

Of course driver safety is very important but the knee jerk reactions taken by the FIA to Senna's death took things to extremes

Was there any real reason why great corners had to be dumbed down ? Tamburello, Eau Rouge, 130R to name a few were butchered beyond recongnition, the wall on the final turn at Canada that so many drivers kissed became so dumbed down a teenage rookie could take it piss easy

Safety is important of course but FIA took things to extremes

[stevvy1986]

15 years........can't believe that. Seems like only yesterday, as a 7 year old, that I sat watching the race and remember fearing the worst as time went by and the helicopter landed on the track to take him away. R.I.P

[JPW]

A tribute by motorsports photographer Frits van Eldik (after 25 sec the voiceover stops)

[Coral]

15 years and I remember it like it was yesterday.

F1 has never been the same for me since Ayrton left us. I miss him so much. Rest in peace Ayrton...

[Owen]

Great video of those Senna 'moments'. RIP.

http://news.bbc.co.u...one/8028474.stm

[rghojai]

It was so odd and shocking to learn of this by watching the end of a Nascar race, hearing the winner say in victory lane that he was terribly sorry to hear about Ayrton Senna, that his thoughts were with Senna's family. Stunning.

The man who spoke those words?

Dale Earnhardt.

[WACKO]

Time goes so fast. Still simply the best, still an inspiration. R.I.P.

[Madera]

Great video.

[peroa]

MP4/4 fired up!

[D.M.N.]

http://news.bbc.co.u...one/8027714.stm , Senna slideshow.