Ayrton's nephew Bruno Senna up for F1 race seat next season?
Ayrton Senna is often regarded as the best racing driver that ever lived. But when he left McLaren – the team with which he won three World Championships – at the end of the 1993 season, he reportedly declared, "If you think I'm good, just wait until you see my nephew Bruno." That's quite an endorsement. The following season, Ayrton died at San Marino, and Formula One has been waiting for the return of the Senna name and legendary prowess ever since. According to the latest reports, that's exactly what we could get as soon as next season.
The young heir to the Senna name has been working his way up the formula racing ladder for the past several years, leapfrogging from Formula BMW and Formula Renault up to Formula Three (where he won several races), GP2 (where he was runner up in this year's championship) and even a third-place finish at the Le Mans Series season opener at Catalunya. He earned a test with Honda last year and was tipped to replace Rubens Barrichello until the Japanese automaker – which had also powered his uncle's McLarens – pulled out of the sport. Now, however, the promising young Brazilian is reportedly being considered by Campos, one of the new teams joining the Formula One grid for next season.
Other drivers under consideration include McLaren's veteran test driver Pedro de la Rosa or Marc Gené (who was recently passed over for the race seat at Ferrari in favor of his fellow tester Luca Badoer) as well as Russian prodigy Vitaly Petrov and Spanish up-and-comer Antonio Garcia.
[Source: F1-Live | Image: JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kyle 6:45PM (8/13/2009)
Someone who wont be nearly as good, but almost as fun to watch.
I always liked him in GP2, I'd like to see him on the grid with campos next year.
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JB 7:07PM (8/13/2009)
I'd like to see racers who aren't related to other drivers in all racing series. I wonder if this Senna would get a chance if his name were Smith or Andrews instead of Andretti. Because these kids are exposed to racing from day 1 they have above average chances of success. But for the first-gen racer, he has many more hurdles to overcome, if he ever does.
It's like kids who inherit the company, they don't know what it's like to claw for everything, they don't have the drive or hunger. Many companies don't make it to a 3rd gen for that reason.
How many 2nd gen racers have equaled or surpassed their fathers?
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~D. 7:14PM (8/13/2009)
Senna was my hero growing up and I was very, very sad when he died (and yes, I was watching.) I wish his nephew all good luck and will be rooting for him. This is a sport where relatives bearing a good name have gone on to distinguish themselves, so it is entirely possible that Bruno could one day mature into a great champion.
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Nateb123 7:31PM (8/13/2009)
Nelson Piquet Jr. certainly doesn't fit that generalization. Anyone in particular you're thinking of?
Kyle 7:46PM (8/13/2009)
Piquet came to mind immediatly but I think hes talking about Jacques Villeneuve. And Graham's son Damon.
Philthy 7:54PM (8/13/2009)
Villeneuve, Rosberg, Hill... And I wouldn't exclude Piquet from that, he's experienced a lot of success before entering F1 and did have a pretty raw deal at Renault. Hope one of the new teams pick him up so we see what he really can do.
~D. 8:24PM (8/13/2009)
actually, to be truthful, when i was writing that i was thinking about the Ascaris. Alberto Ascari turned out to be even better than his predecessor, champion Antonio Ascari.
Villeneuve was also an obvious pick, and +1 on Damon Hill.
jinsei888 7:27PM (8/13/2009)
BRUNO!
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Kyle 7:37PM (8/13/2009)
strange I didnt even realize there was a mistake.
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Giovane 7:41PM (8/13/2009)
Well, Ayrton was the best driver ever IMO, so I´m trying not to have high expectations.. I´m happy to see that we´re going to have another Senna on F1, though..
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craighead 9:37PM (8/13/2009)
Sarcasm Jimbo, sarcasm.
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IOMTT 10:50PM (8/13/2009)
A.Senna was definitely one of the best. I would not make the leap and call him the best ever. I hope Bruno does not suffer from people expecting him to be the incarnation of his uncle. By the way, I condsider Nuvolari to be the best Grand Prix driver ever, but John Surtees is the man in my book. F1 champ, Motorcycle World Champ, Isle of Man.
Good luck, Bruno!
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Javanese 8:37AM (8/14/2009)
I dont think Bruno is good enough, he's a better driver than me I'm sure of that but even Raikonen got a better CV when he started driving for Sauber. I wish all the luck to Bruno as I think he really needs it, hopefully it wont be another Piquet fiasco,
Amien 8:49AM (8/14/2009)
Saying that he has a lot to live up to would be a HUGE understatement.
Wish him the best of luck...
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Fernando 9:03AM (8/14/2009)
As a Brasileiro it's my will to root for him and I will. He's got a huge shoe to fill though and I would not want to be in his position. Also about Piquet Jr. I think if he was in a better team he would of been better, not much though his skill is still lacking IMO. Contrary to what people think the car makes a huge difference in F1. E.G: Brawn first half of 09 (Button is not that good, look at his record) and McLaren 2nd half of 09 (Hamilton is a great driver and it show). Bringing me to my next point, that's not to say that the drivers don't make a difference which they do.
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johdaxx 6:09PM (8/14/2009)
I don't know - if he couldn't even beat Pantano, I'm not sure he's all that great. The media hype alone will be a sight to behold.
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affigueiredo74 11:19AM (8/30/2009)
Senna was the best driver ever, no doubt about it. Bruno is also good and I am sure he will do a great job in the Formula 1. Piquet is also a great driver but unfortunately had Briatore as his manager.
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