Minardi commemorates Senna

Wilux Minardi Cosworth and title sponsor CEO, Ruud Wildschut, have chosen to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Ayrton Senna with their own unique tribute to one of motor racing's greatest stars. The single word "Saudade" will appear on the sidepods of the Wilux Minardi Cosworths throughout this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix.

Senna.tv on the Minardi.

Photo by Minardi Formula 1.

The Brazilian-Portuguese word, which conveys deep emotion, does not translate easily, but effectively means "missing you". It was introduced to a worldwide audience in the wake of Senna's death as the title of a song created by British musician, Chris Rea, as a very personal tribute.

"During that terrible week, I happened to see a Brazilian holding a cloth with the word 'saudade' written on it,'" explains Rea, who like many, was a huge fan of Senna. "I couldn't find out what it meant. People told me there was no translation in English."

"Surprisingly, a British newspaper did an article on this very word, which explained that it vaguely meant a dignified sadness multiplied by a million - tears that smile. The BBC asked for some music for Ayrton's tribute, and the song came from that. It proves there is such a thing as the Blues outside of Mississippi."

The graphics on the Minardi sidepods will also incorporate the yellow, green and blue Brazilian flag, the colours of which featured on Senna's instantly recognizable helmet throughout his racing career, and a website address, www.senna.tv.

Fans of the legendary three-time World Champion can log on to this site to register their thoughts and remembrances of him, or simply read what others have said. The messages will eventually be bound into a book and passed on to Senna's sister, Viviane, at this year's Brazilian Grand Prix.

The website also provides details of a special DVD, produced to mark Senna's death during the ill-starred 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The majority of the proceeds from this will benefit the Ayrton Senna Foundation, an organisation set up by Senna prior to his death to assist children in Brazil through access to sports and education.

Speaking about the mark of remembrance being carried on the Minardi entries in Imola this weekend, Team Principal, Paul Stoddart, comments, "Sadly, the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger changed the face of Formula One forever, and although it remains one of the most tragic events in the sport's history, much of today's enormously improved safety provisions have come about as a result of what happened on that fateful Sunday 10 years ago."

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