The other historical
figures will have to forgive me, but certainly if
I had the opportunity to choose one for
dinner, would be the racer Ayrton Senna. He was
born in 1960 and died in 1994, six months before
my birth. Despite his numerous accomplishments on the
tracks, what fascinates me are his actions as a
person, always showing that everyone are the same and can
achieve their dreams regardless
of their social position.
Senna never
saw racing as a job, but as something
that was part of him, that completed him so he was
always worried about the improvements that could be made and the dangers, that
not only him but all the riders were exposed to. He was
also always waving Brazilian flag, as a sign that, even that his name was
worldwidely famous, he continued proud of being Brazilian. Ayrton once went
to visit his fellow Rubens Barrichello
who had crashed and
had to be hospitalized, but doctors did
not allowed him to enter. Then the driver jumped over
the wall of the hospital
and said that security should be strengthened!
Even before his death, the
pilot had already planned an institute or foundation that
would provide the necessary support for poor children,
believing that the future of Brazil would be improved if good education was
guaranteed. The Ayrton Senna Institute came to
fruition at the hands of his sister, Viviane Senna, who has
led the project with the same vigor of the racer.
It would be wonderful if he were still alive, because nowadays people no longer care for his neighbors, even with their families. There’s a lack of the desire to help those in need, without wanting recognition or even money in return. Lack of initiative to pursue dreams and hope to accomplish them. Lack of confidence in people and in their own potential. Ayrton loved what he did, but first he believed that he was good at it and that he could somehow make a difference. He really had the characteristics of a true leader and faith that something bigger than him, loved him and would always be by his side. This was Ayrton Senna, racer, historical figure, my idol.
Valmir Dias
