On May 1st, 1994, died our idol, Ayrton Senna da Silva, at the age of 34 in Imola.
He developed interest in motor racing when he was 4, and when he was 13, he participated in a karting competition.
Before securing a seat for the 1984 Formula One Season, he entered the British Formula Ford 1600 competition, the British and European Formula Ford 2000 Championships and the 1983 British F3 Championship.From then on, he won the three world championships in 1988, 1989 and 1991 with MacLaren cars.

Yet in 1994 running with Williams, he didn’t win the two first world championships. The third championship was in Imola where he had good memories from. Unfortunately on that Sunday, on lap 7, Senna’s car was seen to break traction twice at the rear, go off the track at Tamburello corner and strike an unprotected concrete barrier. It was evident that Senna had suffered some sort of injury because of the manner in which his helmet was seen to be motionless and leaning very slightly to the side.

Professor Sidney watkins, head of the F1 on-track medical team at the time, attended him and reported:

“He looked serene. I raised his eyelids and it was clear from his pupils that he had a massive brain injury. We lifted him from the cockpit and laid him on the ground. As we did, he sighed and, ..., I felt his soul departed at that moment.”

However, Ayrton senna left good memories to Brazilians and to the world such as the “Institute Ayrton Senna” which help destitute children and teenagers with schooling, sports and other children and teenagers’ needs. He had always helped people without spreading it to the media. His sister, Viviane Senna, is today the head of Senna’s businesses. His nephew, Bruno Senna, is following his steps, running for F3.

Project from

Carina Brandão

Daniel Bertazzoni Ferrazzo

Ricardo dos Santos

Steps 1
Teacher Maria Silvia

Centro Britânico

Pompéia Branch