It is challenging to compare drivers from different eras, even those in close proximity, due to the significant technological advancements that provide younger drivers with a twenty-year advantage over their more experienced counterparts. The younger generation is born into a world where older pilots only encountered these advancements much later in their careers. Consequently, we see instances where Ayrton Senna, towards the end of his career, is surpassed by Michael Schumacher, and Schumacher himself, in his final years, is occasionally overshadowed by a fast but not exceptionally quick driver like Nico Rosberg. However, Rosberg is clearly outperformed by Lewis Hamilton, who now faces mounting pressure from Max Verstappen. It is worth noting that in fifteen years, Verstappen may face competition from drivers who incorporate semi-artificial elements, further complicating the comparison of skill and performance across generations.
But Ayrton Senna is still considered the greatest by the greats. In 2009, AUTOSPORT magazine conducted an exceptional poll among 217 world championship drivers to determine the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time. Ayrton Senna emerged as the winner, surpassing both Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio. This poll stands out as the most extensive survey of F1 drivers ever undertaken, with the voters collectively having an impressive record of 9194 starts and 270 wins. The participants encompassed drivers from almost all world championship grands prix, excluding only 10 races (excluding the 11-world championship Indianapolis 500s)
The panel of voters consisted of a diverse group of individuals, including renowned figures such as Michael Schumacher, who holds the record for being the most successful driver in F1 history, Jose Froilan Gonzalez, the earliest surviving grand prix winner, Paul Pietsch, the oldest living driver at the age of 98, and Jenson Button, the reigning world champion at that time. Additionally, numerous drivers from the current F1 grid also participated in the poll.
This is clear evidence that Ayrton Senna is the great of greats.
There are some individuals that have elevated themself to a new stratosphere where everyone who sees them just falls in love with their Aura and their presence and believes that he has witnessed greatness. Ayrton Senna is one of those individuals who is loved by everyone irrespective of their color, caste, religion and creed. Ayrton is simply admired for his work both on the track and off the track. On the track Ayrton was 3-time world Champion and the most dominant driver to set foot on the paddle of formula 1 car but off the track he was a philanthropist who felt the love and compassion of poor people of Brazil and always tried his best to help those people. After Senna's death it was reported that he had donated $400 Million to children's charities and kept it a secret, even after his death his charity organization now run by his sister has educated more than 6 million kids in Brazil.
Like every great story there are both beginning, and endings Senna's story ended on 1st May 1994 in the Imola circuit during Italian Grand Prix. Senna was leading the race in Sunday's showdown in Imola up until the 7th lap when he approached the Tamburello corner very fast just moments before he lost control of his Williams and then struck the wall. The speed Senna hit the concrete wall was at 191 mph. Within two minutes of the accident, the medical team approached the smashed-up car and reported later on that Senna's brain had stopped working moments after the crash. This also included significant blood loss (around 4.5 liters) and a very weak heartbeat before Senna was airlifted to hospital.
At 18:40 that night, Maggiore Hospital announced one of the most tragic stories in the history of Formula One - Senna's death.
0 Comments