Ayrton Senna da Silva - My life.
On 21 March 1960, I was born to my parents Milton and Neide in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I was quite lucky that my parents were of the upside of middle class, but I grew up around the turmoil spreading in my home country. During my younger years, I watched great drivers in motorsports that helped increase my desire to race.
My father built me a go kart using parts from a lawnmower. By age 13, I was competing in go kart races with other Brazilian teens. Still to this day, the driver I felt closest to in competition was my old karting mate Terry Fullerton. Fullerton is now a racing coach for well-accomplished drivers such as Dan Wheldon and Allan McNish. I was runner-up karting champ in 1979 and 1980.
With a move to single-seat racing cars in 1981, I felt ready to prepare to compete in the highest level of motor racing. By 1982, I had won my first championship in a racing car driving a Formula Ford 2000 car. This propelled me into Formula 3 and I won the 1983 championship.
My first drive in a Formula 1 car came in 1984. I raced for the struggling Toleman team. I moved to Lotus where I got my first win in 1985. I remained at Lotus until 1987 when I moved to Mclaren in 1988 to win my first championship. I would remain at McLaren until leaving for Williams after the 1993 season.
In 1994, my charity was founded (the Ayrton Senna Institute). This is a charity that helps young children in Brazil get the education they need. We strive for a 100% education rate in Brazil and every child counts towards the goal.
My father built me a go kart using parts from a lawnmower. By age 13, I was competing in go kart races with other Brazilian teens. Still to this day, the driver I felt closest to in competition was my old karting mate Terry Fullerton. Fullerton is now a racing coach for well-accomplished drivers such as Dan Wheldon and Allan McNish. I was runner-up karting champ in 1979 and 1980.
With a move to single-seat racing cars in 1981, I felt ready to prepare to compete in the highest level of motor racing. By 1982, I had won my first championship in a racing car driving a Formula Ford 2000 car. This propelled me into Formula 3 and I won the 1983 championship.
My first drive in a Formula 1 car came in 1984. I raced for the struggling Toleman team. I moved to Lotus where I got my first win in 1985. I remained at Lotus until 1987 when I moved to Mclaren in 1988 to win my first championship. I would remain at McLaren until leaving for Williams after the 1993 season.
In 1994, my charity was founded (the Ayrton Senna Institute). This is a charity that helps young children in Brazil get the education they need. We strive for a 100% education rate in Brazil and every child counts towards the goal.