RIP SENNA: Simply the best

To see Ayrton Senna with tears in his eyes was something I will never forget. It was a huge reflection of the man, not the racer, and the depths of his genuine emotions.

It happened in Adelaide, when members of his local fan club organised a special presentation to their hero.

It was a remote control model aircraft.

Senna was totally overwhelmed by the generosity and consideration of his fans, who presented their gift just after he had spoken to the media at one of the Adelaide press conferences.

He had tears, real tears.

Watching it happen felt a little intrusive, but Senna was totally caught up in the moment and was only focussed on the small group of eager fans.

Adelaide was like that.

There have been memorable moments in Melbourne at the Australian Grand Prix, but Adelaide was very different and far more special. It was the last race of the season and everyone was relaxed and happy, even when the title was on the line.

For me, the highlight every time was watching Senna on his qualifying laps.

In the days when he was driving a JPS Lotus, with the explosive Honda turbo engine in the back, a few of the local journalists would trek down to the first chicane to watch from the stand which was always deserted except when it was reserved for photographers at the race start.

Senna’s commitment through the left-right-left series of bends was always absolute. Often the car was not enjoying things. It would buck and jump and fight to be freed.

He was always in control, but barely.

It was, without doubt, the most impressive performance I’ve seen in a grand prix car. It still chills me, today.

No wonder that piece of track is now called the Senna Chicane.

And then there was the final night in 1993, when Senna was called up by Tina Turner at the post-event concert in the Adelaide parklands. 

He looked as embarrassed as a 14-year-old boy, as the flint-tough racer handed control to his inner child for a few minutes.

Anyone who saw Turner serenading him with her song Simply the Best will never forget it, or him.

READ THE FULL SIX PAGE SPECIAL FEATURE ABOUT MORE UNTOLD AYRTON SENNA STORIES HERE

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