As a genius on the tracks, Ayrton Senna da Silva was much more than a three-time F-1 world champion, winning titles in 1988, 1990 and 1991. He became a national hero in a time of political and economic instability. He wore the pride for his nation on the colors of his helmet and took the Brazilian flag to the top of the podium on 41 occasions. Even after the crash at Ímola, exactly 20 years ago, Senna is still alive in the hearts and minds of fans all over the world. To honor him, his story in motor sports is told in the graphic novel “Ayrton Senna: A Trajetória de um Mito”, by the European authors Froissart, Papazoglakis and Paquet. It’s a worldwide launch, brought to Brazil by Editora Nemo in partnership with the Ayrton Senna Institute.
The book starts with Senna’s first race in the rain, still in his go-kart days, and his obsession with improving himself to become the best. After the flashback, the reader is taken to an iconic moment in the driver’s career: the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix, his debut at the world’s foremost motor sports category. Rain falls over the principality as Senna gets ready to drive Toleman’s weak car on one of the championship’s most difficult tracks. He starts only at the 13th place, but brilliantly overtakes his rivals in a short time. Only the race’s leader, Alain Prost, is left in front of him. But as the Brazilian gets close to him the Grand Prix is suspended, due to the heavy rain. That was the beginning of the battle between Senna and Prost, one of the biggest in F-1 history.
With clean, precise drawings, filled with details, the book’s art captures the thrill and the speed that audiences felt when Senna raced. Unforgettable episodes come to life with each panel. The driver’s dramatic triumph at Interlagos, in 1991; the controversies involving Prost at the Japanese Grand Prix; his third world title, won at that country, where he is idolized to this day.
The graphic novel also features his father’s words of encouragement and wisdom, interesting moments of his career, like the first time he got behind the wheel of a Formula One car, and his relationship with other Brazilian drivers, like Rubens Barrichello, Chico Serra and Emerson Fittipaldi.
On May 1st, it’ll be 20 years since the crash at Ímola. But Ayrton Senna’s story goes way beyond that, being remembered and honored all over the world, as “Ayrton Senna: A Trajetória de um Mito” clearly shows.
Title: Ayrton Senna: A Trajetória de um Mito
Written by: Lionel Froissart
Art: Christian Papazoglakis and Robert Paquet
Colors: Tanja Cinna, Christian Papazoglakis and Robert Paquet
Translation: Fernando Scheibe
Pages: 48
Size: 20 x 28 cm
Price: R$ 29,90 (print) R$ 19,90 (digital)
