'Popularity of Senna is like Verstappen in the Netherlands, but even more'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Felipe Drugovich himself never saw Ayrton Senna race live. The Aston Martin test and reserve driver wasn't born when the former world champion lost his life in a crash at the Imola circuit on 1 May 1994. Nevertheless, Senna has been a huge influence on Drugovich, who hopes to eventually follow in his idol's footsteps.
Almost 30 years have passed since Senna's death, his legacy is still very much alive, especially in his native Brazil. Generations grow up with images and anecdotes of one of the greatest sports heroes the country has ever known. Speaking to the Formula 1 website, Drugovich said he is still inspired by Senna's achievements to this day.
Drugovich saw 'too many images' of Senna
"I’ve already watched too much of his highlights, so I don't do that anymore. There was a time I used to watch everything, just trying to absorb as much as I could from that. Senna to Brazil is pretty much how [Max] Verstappen is in the Netherlands – but even more. Obviously now with the newer generation they don’t know as much about Senna, but back then he was the only hero that the country had apart from Pele. They were the biggest guys in Brazil."
According to Drugovich, Senna retains his popularity because of his "different personality". "I think he had something that you couldn't confuse with anyone else. He was just unique and also how he treated the fans was quite nice, so I think he got the respect from that," Drugovich said.