19 replies to this topic

[molive]

As part of the celebrations of Brazil's 500 years, a nationwide poll was conducted by the Vox Populi institute to ellect the biggest 'hero' in Brazilian history.

Airton Senna was ellected in first place. Senna got 20% of all votes.

Now that is surprising even to a die hard F1 fan like myself!

The full list includes all major figures of Brazil, from emperors to presidents, charity leaders, war heroes, politicians, revolutionaries, actors, athletes, etc.

Pelé, for instance, could only make 6th spot (because he hasn't died yet I guess). But IMO that shows how high the common Brazilian citizen still values F1 racing.

I just imagine such a question asked in countries like the US, France, Germany, etc. What are the odds of a F1 driver be ellected there? Even in Argentina I doubt they would ellect Fangio (more likely they would choose Maradona...

like they say...


SENNA 4 EVER!!




[This message has been edited by molive (edited 04-28-2000).]

[Raelene]

MOlive

I always thought it was Ayrton, not Airton.. do the Brazillians spell it a different way?

[The RedBaron]

I reckon it would be hard in Germany- they have too many Superstars and participate in too many different sports. If you look the success in winter sports,tennis,golf,football, summer olympians,to mention but a few, i doubt
whether MS, HHF, Ralf or any other would top the poles. Maybe MS might figure in top 6.

I can imagine countries like USA and Australia being in a similar position.




[This message has been edited by The RedBaron (edited 04-28-2000).]

[Samurai]

The funeral proceedings were awesome. I think this showed some of the intense feelings the Brazil people have for Senna. It was such a tragic death.

No way a Japanese F1 driver would be elected here. In the first place, I think Senna himself was by far the most popular F1 driver in Japan.

[Spinoza]

I'm not sure that the Brazilians do like F1 at least any more than any other nation. They simply support their national drivers - a much easier thing to do. After Senna's death, interest in F1 in Brazil fell off dramatically. It's clear that for many of their "F1 fans" it was the driver, not the sport.

Also, Martin Brundle said in the commentary of the Brazilian GP that the Brazilian fans in the stands opposite the pits were throwing coins at Hakkinen and his car. Has this ever happened anywhere else? Not very sporting.

[This message has been edited by Spinoza (edited 04-28-2000).]

[Toxicant]

No offence Molive and I was a huge Senna fan but it's pretty sad after a 500 year history that the national "hero" is a race car driver.

I can see if the pole was just about sports figures but an over all who was the most important hero?

No wonder Rubens is a mental wreck!

Tox!

[BRG]

Toxicant

Well, I think a country that puts racing drivers ahead of politicians, generals and other such dross is showing a lot of common sense and maturity. I only wish Britain would do the same!

But I agree that worthwhile people (say, Mother Teresa for instance) ought of course to be ahead of mere sportsmen.


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BRG

"all the time, maximum attack"

[molive]

Raelene,
my typo! it is Ayrton.

Tox,
none taken.

The fact is, I was impressed myself that people would put Senna in the top spot, after all Brazilian history is full of figures that are more deserving (in Historical terms I mean) and more important for the building of a National Identity than Senna was. I can think of at least 10 people who could be the ´hero´ (and my list does not include Pelé either).

But then again, we have to understand what is behind the word ´hero´. For Brazilians anyone who brings the name of the country to an international spotlight in a good way is a seen as a hero, and Senna was very good at that. Not only he was the best at his job (a very competitive job it is), but he was also very proud to wave the flag of his land whenever he had a chance (many say he did that as a media thing), and last but not least, the way he died (real heroes usually die tragic untimely deaths). All that contributed to build the legend AS, which obviously is still strong in our collective minds. Nothing to do with F1 really, it has more to do with Senna himself.

[molive]

Spinoza,
**** like that happens anywhere. It surely does not reflect the overall sentiment of people here torwards hakkinen (I really like the guy, for instance). A few idiots behaving like kids cannot represent the profile of the Brazilian race fan (just ask the English if hooligans are the rule or the exception).

[Alfisti]

Red... of course it's be a problem down here in Oz because frankly... we've won everything on offer in the last 12 months and the wy Webber, Bright and Courtney are going we'll have the F1 crown as well.... excuse me while i go get my polishing rag....

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"Life will not break your heart, it'll crush it" - Henry Rollins.

[doohanOK]

In Argentina at the end of last year, they voted for athlete of the century.

Juan Manuel Fangio the 1st, who won 5 world drivers titles in Formula 1 of course, was beaten by the man who took Argentina to Soccer World Cup success via drug abuse, namely one Diego Maradona.

Soccer is a big influence in South America, of course.

regards,
doohanOK.

[Ellen UK]

Samurai, of course no Japanese driver would become the all time hero there, there isn't such a thing as a Japanese driver who even won one single lucky F1 race!!!!

[The RedBaron]

Lol- Ellen

[Ricardo F1]

Senna also did a great deal more for Brazil than just race a car. He was dedicated to helping those who couldn't help themselves. The Ayrton Senna Foundation continues on today pursuing Ayrton's wishes to help the poor in Brazil.

It's that, as much as his racing ability, that probably saw him top this poll.

You can read further about it : http://www.x-land.it...foundation.html

[This message has been edited by Ricardo F1 (edited 04-28-2000).]

[molive]

Going a bit OT here, but...

Japanese Drivers

Hiroshi Fushida
Masahiro Hasemi
Naoki Hattori
K.Hoshino
Taki Inoue
Ukyo Katayama
Masami Kuwashima
Satoru Nakajima
Shinji Nakano
Hideki Noda
Aguri Suzuki
Toshio Suzuki
T.Takagi
N.Takahara
K.Takahashi

Really, I don´t understand how Japan can produce so many drivers and yet deliver so little (some of the above are/were actually good drivers). No wonder they loved Senna.

[Turbo]

On the subject of Japanese drivers, if you haven't seen it, for a good laugh definitely check out the Shigeaki Hattori scorecard: http://www.deepthrot...scorecard.shtml
Let's just say when a driver is said to be "gettin' Shigi wit' it" this is NOT a compliment.

Akira, err I mean Takuya Kurosawa looked promising in Long Beach.


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Bring back slicks and turbo!

[magnum]

"Argentina to Soccer World Cup success via drug abuse"

Come now doohan - surely you are not suggesting that the copious consumption of cocaine is beneficial to the athlete? I think you mean he took Argentina to world cup glory DESPITE his drug abuse ...

[Samurai]

But I think rather than it being Japanese drivers are so un-illuminous (a bit hard to disagree there, though who knows what the future may bring), it's more a matter of
Senna being special,,,

F1 suffered a huge drop in popularity here in Japan after his untimely death.

[Ripples]

Molive, I have no doubt that if Senna was driving in the late 60s-early 70s and stayed alive, and in contrast Pele was killed at while playing in the world cup 6 years ago, it would have been Pele on top and Senna 6th! I don't think the poll shows much about how Brazilians love F1 (which I am sure a lot of them do, but it's still second in popularity to football); I think it shows much how Senna became a symbol like many other legends who died prematurely all around.

[Alfisti]

Turbo.... love the link...

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"Life will not break your heart, it'll crush it" - Henry Rollins.