Ayrton Senna: the Messiah of Motor Racing

Auteur: Richard Craig
Taal: Engelstalig
Uitvoering: Paperback
Pagina's: 192

Ayrton Senna is arguably the most famous racing driver there has ever been. All over the world, he is revered as a saint and as the greatest driver the sport has ever seen.

Indeed, the 2010 film of his life verged on the hagiographic, painting him as a beloved child of God put on Earth to fight injustice and help those less fortunate than him. In reality, he was but a mere mortal, and one who indulged in some very earthly behaviour.

So why is he accorded this Godlike status? The romantic notion is that Senna - with his devout Catholic beliefs - was simply too unworldly for this life. But was his reputation disproportionately burnished because he died, aged only 34, in front of millions of TV viewers, thus sealing his reputation as the Messianic martyr of motor racing?

This book takes a twofold look at both Ayrton da Silva, the softly-spoken and introspective man, and Senna the aggressive, ruthless and brilliant driver, distinct entities who often struggled to coexist peacefully together, and discusses why, of all the great drivers Formula One has nurtured, Senna attracts the most fervent following, as well as bringing to life the Brazilian's dramatic career.