F1 conducted its latest Fan Festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday evening to celebrate Ayrton Senna with multiple drivers, driving his cars.
Prior to the F1 circus descending to South America for Brazil GP next weekend at Interlagos circuit, the sport held a tribute event in the memory of three-time champion Senna on Saturday, in Ibirapuera Park, which was free to attend for the fans.
The event had Felipe Massa, Emerson Fittipaldi, Pietro Fittipaldi, Esteban Gutierrez and Caio Collet driving some of the iconic Senna cars. The classic cars on the roster included his Lotus 97T and Toleman TG184, with Mercedes and Renault lining up the modern cars.
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Massa drove both the Toleman and Lotus, as Fittipaldi Sr had the chance to drive the Lotus while Fittipaldi Jr drove the Toleman. Massa even re-lived Senna’s famous Brazilian flag act, in a similar fashion to his idol, who often held the flag of his nation after a win.
Suffice it to say, Massa thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to drive Senna’s most famous cars, particularly in the great company of the Sao Paulo fans. “I think it’s a great atmosphere,” said the now-Formula E-Venturi-driver.
“It’s a bit of a dream come true to drive in Sao Paulo, in the middle of the city, with the historical cars. That means a lot for the Brazilians, especially here in Sao Paulo. Senna was from Sao Paulo, and I am from Sao Paulo.
“It was definitely a great show and it was a good pleasure to be here, participating in this amazing event.” At the same time, Fittipaldi Sr, added: “I am so honoured to drive Senna’s grand prix car that he won his first grand prix in Portugal in 1985.
“Colin Chapman sent me a text from England, saying that they asked Ayrton [as to] what was his best win? Was it the race in Donington Park in the rain with the Williams? He said, no-no, the best win was with Lotus because he had no traction control.”
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Aside the Senna cars, Gutierrez got behind the W06 – the only hybrid F1 car in the event – while Renault development driver Collet got the chance to drive the E20, which is used by the French manufacturer for all such events.
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#ObrigadoSenna pic.twitter.com/X82spnDZGw
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) November 9, 2019
Here’s details of the Hollywood F1 Fan Festival
The story was written by Duncan Leahy and edited by Darshan Chokhani