Sure, but they were who they were because they weren't wired that way. Senna's probably become larger in death than he even was in life.
Just remember, he went into the fastest corner in F1 history in 6th gear, at 190MPH in first place, unbeaten by the cheating .... behind him.
If your number is up, it's up and nothing is going to change that.
I love that analogy. Yep he went out leading a race and as you say, leading a cheating ........ behind. I still think Shitmacher/Benetton were partly responsible for Senna's death, because their cheating meant Senna was way overdriving the Williams to beat them. He lapped his team mate in Brazil ffs.
I wholly agree with the sentiment that Senna is larger in Death than in life. As one journalist said on the 20th anniversary, no way were you going to read in a newspaper 5-10-20 years from now "Ayrton Senna, former WC, dies from xxx at his home in Brazil"...Just wasn't going to happen. He lived his life so intensely.
In 1993 I watched Senna drive through Blanchimont, the fastest top gear corner at Spa, absolutely on the limit every lap, racing for 6th position.
He never gave up.
I maintain the reason he died is that he believed God was on his side.
Damon Hill said exactly the same thing. That Senna completely put his faith in God and what was meant to be would be.
I wasn't there live, but have raced at Donington Park many times, and on my many track walks I still cannot comprehend how the .... he passed Wendlinger around the outside of the craner curves in 1993. It is far far more of a downhill slope than is ever shown on TV.
I don’t know exactly but I seam to remember Senna saying the sport was less enjoyable towards the end due to the emergence of driver aids, though I’m guessing he still had the passion.
Rainey on the other hand admitted with the obvious benefit of hindsight that he shouldn’t have been still riding at the time of his accident, simply because he wasn’t enjoying it. To risk death doing something you love is one thing, for Stoner to take that risk doing something he hated would of been just plain dumb.
He certainly didn't enjoy the 1992 and 1994 seasons. The FW14B basically drove itself and negated any advantage he had as a driver, and I think given he was expected to walk the championship in 1994, the pressure of a cheating Schumacher and an uncomfortable car were getting to him. I think his commitment was his downfall though, telling Sid Watkins that he couldn't quit, most likely because he was driven by his inner demons.
To be able to walk away like Stoner, I don't consider a stain on his achievements.
Great discussion btw guys.
