21 years after Ayrton Senna’s death, he’s still remembered for millions of fans and experts around the world as the greatest Formula 1 driver ever.
I had the privilege to obtain an authorization from my friend Maria Beatris Assumpção Head, or simply, as many ones knows her, Betise Assumpção, wife of Williams co-founder Patrick Head and one of the closest friends Senna ever had, to reproduce here her blog.
Betise was there in Imola on that fatidic day. She was the one that Bernie Ecclestone asked to translate to Ayrton’s brother Leonardo, in a private room conversation, the notice that Ayrton was dead in the race track, before the chopper took its way to Bologna, though this notice was later revised for reasons that we’ll never be able to be certain.
But, the most important thing now is to read this beautiful tribute, made with love and respect:
“My tribute to Ayrton Senna”, by Betise Assumpção Head
I had the privilege and the pleasure to work closely to Ayrton for over four years and to have known him for another seven years. So much has been said and published about him it is impossible to be original and very difficult to be creative. So I’d like to publish a few of his best quotes to the public and a few things he said to me in private.
Sometimes I still think I will bump into him somewhere: at the Berkeley’s Hotel, where he used to stay when in London; at Wimbledon, where we bumped into each other in 1987; in the Kings Road when he brought his last girlfriend Adriane Galisteu…
Here are my chosen quotes. Of course, I have no intention of completely define Ayrton in these sentences. But I hope they will make you see him through my eyes: A Brazilian sports loving woman but not particularly fond of car racing.
Most unforgettable thing he said to me: “It can’t get any worse, Betise”, when leaving the Aida circuit, Japan after I said to him I hoped the European season would change things around. He had been bumped off the race by Mika Hakkinen and, therefore, remained in 0 points against 20 of Michael Schumacher. After that, it was Imola.
The one I most agree with: “I have no idols. I admire work, dedication and competence”. Pure Ayrton.
Racing quote I most admire: “I race to win. You do something very well or not at all”. Simple as that.
Racing quote I best understand: “Winning is the only justifiable reason to risk your life in such absurd circumstances”.
Common sense: “I resist to bad moments as well as I can. The good ones I just lay back and enjoy”. it sounds simple, but you should have seen his face and tone of voice saying that. Ayrton took nothing lightly.
About his privacy: “A way to preserve your image is not to let people invade your home. It is a way I have found to keep my personal values” . (only his very close friends and family were allowed in his many properties).
About Death: I don’t fear death. One day it will come. It is the only certainty in life”.
One of the most brilliant, about Mansell: “Nigel is the only driver you can see on both rearview mirrors”. Has anyone forgotten Monaco1992?
His perfect lap: “It is always still to come. It is like tying both ends of your tie so that they are exactly the same length. Experience tells you that you can do it; practice tells you that you can do it. But you just can’t”.
Best quote about Ayrton: “Sometimes I think God himself drives through Ayrton, much as I felt God wrote music through Mozart”, Peter Dick in an article entitled “Why we dislike Senna”.
His motivation: “Sometimes I try to beat other people achievements but most of the time I find it much better to beat my own achievements”
The perfect woman, once he said to me: “She has to be sensual, fascinating, intelligent, beautiful, lively and assured of herself”. I laughed and replied. “Knowing you, I nearly believe you are going to find her.”
Once again, I would like to thank you, Betise. In my name and in the entire One Stop Strategy crew.
Ialdo Belo – May 1, 2015
