The Unpopular Brazilian

Sir,

Long, long ago, back in the mists of time, two things would be certain. Ayrton Senna would have been banned for life or would be dead.

The heart of the problem lies in Senna’s excellence in qualifying. Last year he was so rarely challenged that all he had to do was terrorize the back markers, with no threat to himself. All he ever does is blast away from pole and lead from start to finish. This year people have actually tried (dared) to try and overtake him, leading to the predictable events of both cars together off the track at a standstill. A few years ago that would not have been the case. Senna would have sustained at least a broken arm. It is as if he takes his safety for granted, knowing that whatever he does he will not be injured. When he has his big accident, hopefully he will come through it a changed person, like Mansell did after Suzuka. For it is a sad fact that Senna is due for one; I only hope he takes no one with him.

Ron Dennis is a culprit as well. He screamed and fumed and kicked up a fuss, and used his sizeable influence to get his way with Mansell. He even pretended that he didn’t hate Mansell. He even pretended that he had the best interests at heart.

“He knew what he was doing. He got what he deserved. He should spend more time reading the rule book,” said Dennis. And then ate his words when he saw Senna knowing what he was doing, getting what he deserved, and showing a flagrant ignorance of the rules. At long last Senna’s actions seem to have caught up with him. Hopefully this is the last time he ever resorts to the darker side of his nature. .

Steven Baxter, Cheam, Surrey