A series of tributes to Ayrton Senna are planned for this year’s Monaco F1 GP, which takes place this Sunday. Exactly 30 years ago, the Brazilian driver won the most iconic race in the category for the first time, starting his six-win streak, a record that stands to this day. On Wednesday, Prince Albert II, alongside Bianca Senna, officially unveiled a statue of the three-time F1 world champion on Fairmont corner. This year, the Fairmont Hotel – after which the corner is named – has also launched a themed suite in honor of the driver.
“It was an emotional day for the whole Senna family, and, I believe, for every fan of Ayrton in Brazil and everywhere else in the world. Prince Albert II is a big fan of my uncle, and he told me how proud he felt for having witnessed his races here, in Monaco, with all those victories and even the famous champagne celebration”, said Bianca, the driver’s niece and director of the Ayrton Senna Institute, mentioning Ayrton’s surprising attitude, in 1987, when he was so happy on the podium that he broke protocol and ended up spraying the royal family with champagne.
After the unveiling of the statue in front of more than 70 journalists from all over the world on Fairmont corner, Bianca and the Prince officially opened the Ayrton Senna suite. Decorated with items that belonged to the driver, like the 1987 original helmet and the signed Lotus 99T steering wheel, the 90 square meter room is already booked for this year’s Grand Prix (part of the money was donated to the Ayrton Senna Institute).
During the week, there will also be an exhibit of special items used by the driver throughout his career, at the Monaco Yacht Club and the Paddock Club, where several people invited to the GP stay. Painter Armin Flossdorf will also honor the three-time champion by painting six pictures live, one for each of the Brazilian’s wins in Monaco. The international press was also shown the new Ayrton Senna Shop collection, featuring clothes, accessories and collectables, as well as the first version of a commemorative coin bearing Ayrton Senna’s likeness. Another special homenage, a video about Senna, will be shown on the big screens of the Monte Carlo circuit.
