Ayrton Senna at Silverstone: A Tribute to the Racing Icon

Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Silverstone Festival, commemorating 30 years without our eternal Ayrton Senna. As a Brazilian and a passionate fan of motor racing, especially the thrills experienced at Silverstone, it was deeply gratifying to witness Ayrton’s legacy being celebrated with such intensity and affection.

During the event, I had the special opportunity to speak with Bruno Senna, the legendary driver’s nephew. Bruno, who has followed in his uncle’s footsteps on the track, shared memories that reaffirm Ayrton’s lasting impact, both as a driver and as a global icon. When I asked Bruno about the significance of being there representing his uncle and carrying the Senna name, which has become so powerful worldwide, he responded with deep respect and pride:

“I am immensely proud to be Ayrton’s nephew, to have had that example at home to learn from. And I also had the privilege of knowing him and enjoying him as family. But Ayrton was truly a very special person, and we, as a family, have the duty to carry this legacy forward and keep the strength in Ayrton’s name for everyone to know.”

These words reflect the Senna family’s commitment to preserving and honouring Ayrton’s legacy, keeping alive the impact he had, not only in motorsport but also in the lives of millions of people around the world. After our conversation, Bruno kindly autographed several shirts and books for the fans, further reinforcing the bond between the Senna family and the attending public.

The festival, which traditionally includes music at the end of all three days, featured artists such as Busted, Olly Murs, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor this year—all of whom are popular with the Marriott household, which was a positive point. For Formula 1 fans, the largest collection of Senna cars ever assembled was one of the major attractions. Curated by Mark Constanduros, the exhibition included everything from Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, and Williams, to karts, junior formula cars, and even two rally cars that Ayrton drove for a magazine article. It was an exhibition that surpassed that of the Monaco Historic earlier in the year.

Additionally, there was a significant display of recent Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 hybrids, allowing fans to observe the relatively small changes in the cars over the past eight years, comparing them with F1 cars from the 1970s and 80s. Fans were also treated to laps by Mercedes test and development driver Esteban Gutierrez in a 2021 Silver Arrows car.

One of the festival’s highlights is the presence of interesting cars around every corner, many of which have never been seen before. This year, Michelin had a beautiful display that included Eadon Green supercars and a TVR that never went into production. Furthermore, there were large exhibitions from many car clubs, often showcasing rare or forgotten vehicles.

The event’s main races, such as the Motor Racing Legends Formula 1, featuring cars from 1966 to 1985, and the Masters Endurance Legends, for cars that competed at Le Mans 10 to 20 years ago, were standout events with full grids and excellent cars. Although the weather conditions caused delays and some races were shortened, the excitement was present in every moment.

The festival also provided nostalgic moments, such as the race of Cooper T53s in the pre-1966 category, which was one of the most thrilling, with fierce battles and unexpected twists. The Masters GT Trophy event also stood out, with an incredible display of recent GT cars and an exciting race that challenged both drivers and machines under adverse weather conditions.

In conclusion, the Silverstone Festival once again proved that Ayrton Senna remains a legend, not only in motorsport but also in the hearts of all who love the speed and thrill of racing. The massive presence of fans and the warm reception of the Senna family were testaments to Ayrton’s enduring impact, celebrating not just the man who changed Formula 1 forever, but also the eternal bond between Senna and everyone who shares this passion.

Photos by Joyce Phillips