It has been 30 years since Ayrton Senna lost his life during the cursed Imola weekend in 1994.
30 years later, the Brazilian remains an absolute legend in the paddock, and continues to inspire the drivers on the current field.
In particular one: Lewis Hamilton, of whom we know all the attachment he has to Senna.
30 years later, what can Hamilton say about the McLaren F1 legend?
” This is a difficult question. I’ve talked so much about Ayrton that I don’t really have anything else to say, other than that he remains in our hearts and in the sport and is still a role model. »
“And his family, I think, is doing a great job with the foundation, continuing to help the kids.” But yeah, there’s nothing else to say that I haven’t already said. »
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin F1 driver, also uses the word legendary to describe Senna.
“Yes, he is a sporting legend and someone who changed the sport in many ways. He was a legend on the track, but also off the track. He had a voice. He helped Brazil in many ways and really, I think, took the sport to another level. And even on the pilot side, he changed the work ethic, established a new standard in the way pilots work. So, yes, he is definitely, definitely an incredible sports legend. »
“I don’t think the number of years matters. The legacy will always live on – and it will always be a legend and never forgotten” adds Valtteri Bottas.
Distant successor to Senna at McLaren F1, does Oscar Piastri feel inspired or crushed by the Brazilian’s legacy?
“He spent a large part of his career at McLaren. So I think for us it’s very, very special to have this heritage. For me, obviously I wasn’t born in the era when he was racing, but reading the stories, watching the documentaries, seeing some of the videos of his qualifying laps, that sort of thing, it’s a great Source of inspiration . Yes, I think it’s a good thing that we continue to celebrate it. And if it’s in 30 years, 50 years, 150 years… the legacy will still be there. And yes, it is very special for all of us. »
Sergio Pérez finally remembers two things about Senna: his courage and his generosity.
“It’s very special to have had a figure like hers. He was an extraordinary racing driver, very courageous. But what I admire most is his behavior outside the car, what he did for his country, for children, for younger generations. I think that’s what really inspires me about Ayrton. And yes, it’s great that the family continues to do good work with their foundation and like Ayrton did when he was driving in Formula 1. So yes, he’s a great human being and that’s why his Legacy is so important in our sport. »
