Ayrton Senna is declared patron of Brazilian sport

Three decades ago, on May 1st, three-time Formula 1 world champion Ayrton Senna da Silva died. As a new tribute to the racing driver, a law has been published in Brazil declaring him patron of sport in the country.

On the reason for granting the title, representative Filipe Barros, who drafted the bill, highlighted Senna’s sporting achievements and his key role in Brazilian sport.

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“Ayrton Senna set a new level of excellence in sport. He was tireless in his quest to surpass his own limits, and was responsible for some of the most memorable moments in the memory of Brazilian fans,” he stated.

In the Parco delle Acque Minerali, near the circuit where the driver perished, a bronze sculpture pays homage to Senna REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini/Rights reserved

Ayrton Senna, who is celebrated as one of the greatest talents the sport has ever seen, died at the age of 34 after suffering an accident in 1994 during the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, when he was racing for the British team Williams.

Today, in the Parco delle Acque Minerali, near the circuit where the driver perished, a bronze sculpture pays homage to Senna. Inaugurated on May 1, 2014, at a festival marking the 20th anniversary of the racing star’s death, the monument is visited by fans who come from all over the world to touch, photograph, or pay tribute to the Brazilian driver.

*With information from Agência Senado