Senna's F1 legacy the greatest of the sport - Vettel

  • Published on 24 Nov 2019 12:48
  • comments 0
  • By: Dieter Rencken & Coilin Higgins

During a Brazilian Grand Prix weekend that saw the celebration of driver Ayrton Senna on his 25th anniversary, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel has spoken fondly of how he relates Senna to his earliest memories, and that Senna left behind a legacy that will probably never be matched.

Vettel told of how his father was a fond follower of Senna when Vettel was growing up, and that both Senna and the iconic red and while McLarens that took him to his three titles in F1 are now special memories to the four-time champion.

"To be honest, it's very hard to pick your first memory, but the first images I saw that were linked to Formula 1 was when he [Senna] raced here and he won," Vettel commented. "Even though he lost a lot of gears, he was exhausted and he nearly couldn't lift the trophy.

"The images of that car, the Marlboro car, was very iconic. My father was a huge fan of Ayrton Senna so those are the reasons why, like you intend to follow what your parents follow at that age so he was watching Formula 1 and I followed.

"So for me, he was the first person I linked to Formula 1. I think his legacy is probably the biggest or greatest that one could leave to the sport."

Vettel is confident that if it wasn't for Senna's tragic accident that claimed his life at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix that he could have went on to further success given his talent and speed.

Vettel also believes that it was not only his speed or success that made Senna such a remembered icon in the sport, but also the unique character and person that set Senna apart from other drivers that made him so fondly remembered.

"I think he passed away way too early," Vettel commented. "There was a lot more that we probably could have enjoyed from him, racing but probably also outside of the car.

"I think not having the chance to share any moment with him but having the chance to share memories of people that were close to him and worked with him over the years.

"Certainly he was a very special character. Not just the fact that he was very quick or very successful, but a very special person as well."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 1,480
  • Podiums 56
  • Grand Prix 161
  • Country DE
  • Date of b. Jul 3 1987 (37)
  • Place of b. Heppenheim, DE
  • Weight 62 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar