» Remembering Ayrton – MotorsportM8

Barely a week after the F1 world witnessed the return of the Senna name to the F1 grid courtesy of his nephew Bruno, Ayrton Senna would have been celebrating his 50th birthday had his life not been cut so tragically short on that fateful day in May, 1994.

Many would argue that Ayrton remains one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time – he regularly tops driver and fan polls to that effect – he clinched the Drivers’ Championship title on three occasions (1988, 1990, 1991) in a 161-race career spanning 11 seasons with Toleman, Lotus, McLaren and (all too briefly) Williams.

The F1 world still recalls his on-track brilliance, and also the quiet behind-the-scenes work he did to alleviate poverty in his homeland.

His nephew, Bruno, wrote on his Twitter feed: “Happy 50 years, Beca! Really wish you were still with us! Miss you! I will do my best EVER!”

I’m incredibly lucky to have a little collection of Senna memorabilia, and among my countless books I treasure several of his autographs, including one on his famed blue Nacional-sponsored hats.