Brazil Honors “Ayrton Senna

Brazil commemorated the 30th anniversary of the tragic death of F1 driver Ayrton Senna, the only national athlete who enjoys practically the same prestige and respect as 'king' Pelé among Brazilians.

Three-time F1 champion and considered the best Brazilian driver in history, Senna died at the age of 34 on May 1, 1994 at the Imola circuit (Italy) after losing control of his Williams and crashing it into a cement wall.

Hundreds of people went early to the Parque Morumby cemetery in São Paulo, where Senna's remains rest, and placed flowers, photos and Brazilian flags at his grave, located under a huge tree.

At the Interlagos circuit in the city of São Paulo, where the driver won in 1991 and 1993, thousands of athletes, fans and admirers participated in the races that each year commemorate his death.

In Europe, a ceremony was held at the Imola circuit in memory of Senna and his Austrian colleague Roland Ratzenberger, who died a day before the Brazilian in another accident.

After having passed through several Brazilian cities, the traveling exhibition "I, Ayrton Senna - 30 years" will open its doors in parallel in Rio de Janeiro.

The exhibition, with Senna's voice recreated by artificial intelligence guiding the public, helps to better understand his career as a driver and his personal life.

The fatal accident, which was witnessed by millions of people live on television in Brazil, further enhanced the figure of the pilot.

In addition to the memories that fans have of him as a driver, Senna's good image in Brazil is still very much alive thanks to the work carried out by the Ayrton Senna Institute.

The Brazilian was known for his social activism and for defending the importance of education and the fight against poverty in his country.

Six months after his death, the family founded the Ayrton Senna Institute, chaired by his sister Viviane and which in 2004 was recognized as a Chair of Education and Human Development by UNESCO.