Formula One news

Speed is Senna's legacy: Cristiano

A teenage Cristiano da Matta was at home on May 1, 1994. 'I was watching the race from Imola on television,' the Brazilian driver said.

This weekend's race in Italy marks a full decade since the great Ayrton Senna died when a piece of the Williams' suspension arm pierced his helmet in a shunt. 'I remember thinking at the time 'he'll just miss the next race. I thought he might be injured but not like that.'

Da Matta, Toyota's young star, says blinding qualifying speed is Senna's legacy. 'That's my main memory of him, anyway,' said Cristiano. 'Of course I admired his human side as well, but when I looked at him I just thought of his natural talent for speed.  Everything seemed so easy for him.'

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