Made for a TV documentary on the life and career of Ayrton Senna on the 20th anniversary of his death.
Two years before joining Formula 1, Ayrton Senna met Galvão Bueno in Belgium. "Are you Galvão Bueno? I’m Ayrton Senna da Silva. You’ll hear a lot about me and broadcast many of my races," he said. Commentator Reginaldo Leme noted Senna’s confidence in his potential from a young age. The first episode of "Ayrton Senna do Brasil" explores the start of his legendary career. Drivers, former drivers, artists, public figures, Brazilians, and foreigners contributed to this documentary, a collaboration between TV Globo and Bizum. It features revelations, memories, controversies, and emotional testimonials from fans, family, and rivals. It delves into iconic duels and the behind-the-scenes moments of a brilliant career tragically cut short. For those who saw him race, those who didn’t, and those who will never forget Ayrton Senna, this documentary is a must-watch.
This second episode of "Ayrton Senna do Brasil" tells the story of an Ayrton who seemed to enter a trance while racing. His dedication and obsession with perfection in every turn and straight placed him among the fastest drivers in the world. Berger recalls a unique spectacle during Senna’s time—beyond the race and his winning strategies, it was the pole position show. Back then, there were no qualifying rounds or tire changes; it was all about skill. Ayrton had a strategy of going out in the final moments to smash the track time, a breathtaking and almost otherworldly display. Gerhard Berger describes Senna's races as extraordinary, almost supernatural.
The third episode delves into Ayrton Senna's ultra-competitive personality, avoiding the patriotic tone often used when discussing the Formula 1 legend. It highlights different sides of Senna: the man admired for his kindness and achievements, like the historic 1991 victory in Interlagos, but also the athlete whose obsession with winning sometimes led to unsportsmanlike behavior on the track. This episode focused on Senna’s intense rivalry with Alain Prost. The 1990 Japanese GP collision between Senna and Prost was portrayed as an "unsportsmanlike act" by the Brazilian but also as retaliation for being "cheated" by the FIA the year before, which cost him the title. While celebrating Senna as "the Brazil that succeeded," Galvão Bueno acknowledges that provoking the 1990 crash with Prost to secure the championship was a wrongful act.
In this 4th and final episode, we’ll witness Ayrton Senna’s battles with Nigel Mansell, the sensational victory at the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix, his relationship with Adriane Galisteu, the tragedy at Imola in 1994, the tribute paid to him by Brazil's Tetra-champion football team, and many emotional testimonials.
Ayrton Senna
Self (archive footage)
Galvão Bueno
Self
Reginaldo Leme
2019
2023
1978
2009
2022
2020
1995
2018
1987
2024
2026
1982
2016
