October 20, a Thursday, was the 25th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s third F1 world title. In order to commemorate the date, publishing house BB Editora end the Ayrton Senna Institute have launched the “Ayrton Senna Parade”, the first outdoor museum in the world focused on the Formula One driver’s life and career. The 11 never-before-seen sculptures, designed by visual artist Rafael Sanches and made in steel, are being displayed at several places in São Paulo and neighboring cities from October 20 to November 15. Next, the collection will be moved to the São Paulo International Motor Show, and afterwards it will be taken to the Interlagos Raceway, which will be its permanent home.
“Undoubtedly, this is one of the most special and unique tributes paid to Ayrton Senna. The Museum will feature statues in honor of our eternal champion”, says Baroni Neto, General Director of BB Editora.
To Bianca Senna, Branding Director of the Ayrton Senna institute and the three-time F1 champion’s niece, the homage will be one more way of spreading the driver’s legacy around the city where he was born and raised.
“Ayrton has a very special bond with each Brazilian and also with the city of São Paulo. My uncle’s fans have always asked for a space where they could remember him, and this is a homage dedicated to everyone who has fond memories of Ayrton”, says Bianca.
Besides the statues on display, the Project also involves the publishing a book: “Ayrton Senna, um herói moldado de alma, coração e aço!” [“Ayrton Senna: a hero molded in soul, heart and steel!”] The book features the statues rough drafts, still on paper, besides texts detailing the themes behind each piece. It also comes with miniatures of the statues in exhibit, which will be offered as the books are sold. “We’ve tried to be mindful of all of the driver’s greatest moments over the course of 11 years in F1. We’ve selected the best of Ayrton Senna”, sums up Rafael Sanchez, the artist responsible for the statues.
The partnership between BB Editora and the Ayrton Senna institute started in 2014, with the printing of “Senna – A historia do Tetra – Tricampeonato” [“Senna – The History of the Fourth Third Championship”]. The book revisited the 1988 Japanese GP, when a controversial FIA decision took the chance of winning four world titles away from the driver.
Location of the statues:
• 3 Airports (Guarulhos, Congonhas and Viracopos)
• Twitter’s São Paulo HQ
• The São Paulo Industry Federation– FIESP
• Esporte Clube Pinheiros
• Rio Branco School (where Senna studied)
• Morumbi, Anália Franco and Eldorado Shopping Malls
• The Interlagos Raceway