MovieChat Forums > Senna (2011) Discussion > Genius

Genius

posted 14 years ago by polos_are_minty
29 replies | jump to latest

I saw the film last night. I've always been a big fan of Ayrton. To me he is one of the greatest sportsmen ever. Although saying this before last night I had only seen his accident once. I know it may seem odd but I could never bring myself to watch the footage. I just found it to distressing that such a fantastic individual could die in such a terrible way.

The film is absolutely fantastic, it really shows what a talented and special man Ayrton really was. I know that all the naysayers are on here saying that Shummacer and Prost were better than him, well let me tell you they weren't. Ayrton is the best driver ever to grace the track. Yes the other two have won more titles but that really doesn't matter. They were far to calculated and political, whereas Ayrton was a true racer.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] polos_are_minty 14 years ago

Not comparing different drivers across different eras. Schummacer won the race in which Senna died, so obviously contemporaries. To say prost and Senna weren't contemporary is just moronic

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MarceloFracanela 14 years ago

or you're a comedian or did not understand anything motoring.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ibbi 14 years ago

Ah, the great revionism, "just because he died", of course...nobody ever appreciated his brilliance before he died, did they? The fact is, most of the other greats you mentioned enjoyed primes in different eras, certainly this side of the 60s, for Senna and Prost that was not the case, so the things they accomplished have an extra sheen to them.

___
“The Tree of Life” is rated PG-13. Birth, death, the end of the world.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sci-figraphics 14 years ago

Correct. Senna - much like Schumacher, today - had millions of F1 fans the world over that loved him and also millions who hated him, so people saying nobody appreciated his brilliance prior to his tragic and fatal accident is simply untrue and being an avid F1 fan for many, many years I know this to be the case. While his passing may have breed sympathy, the fact is many fans and drivers recognized that he was a truly unique and naturally gifted racing driver during his career, which was clearly evident even in his rookie year. Remember the wet Monaco GP of '84. Senna started from 13th in a Toleman and finished second. He would have finished in first had the race not been red flagged. Ayrton, driving a very average, 4 cylinder Toleman, was catching the leader Prost in a superior V6 McLaren, by about 4 seconds a lap.

Senna's arrival in the sport of F1 changed everything. He set the benchmarks higher in area's of driving technique, racing in the wet, fitness and focus. His rapid cornering and throttle style were completely unique at the time. His attention to detail, high levels of feedback, and many late hours spent talking with his engineers - even after winning races - made the other drivers at the time appear rather lazy. Many drivers including the '91 rookie Schumacher adopted Senna's highly focused approach to racing, fitness and feedback. Now this type of approach is normal, in fact it has become even more intensive, including the fitness and diet aspect.

While it is only correct that other World Champions (and it must be stated a lot of non-world champions) deserve that same respect, the fact remains that Senna's charisma, racing philosophy, focus, passion, genius and of course his flaws made him an enigma. It's this mystic that still fascinates racing fans and racing drivers alike today. While I greatly admire talented F1 drivers like Moss, Fangio, Jim Clarke, Prost, Gilles Villenuve and Schumacher etc, it was Senna's highly charged passion and burning ambition to race, to win, that is still for me inspirational.

Racing wasn't just a career to him. It was his religion.
For me this is what set him apart from all the other drivers.

[–] Littlebitsofgaming 14 years ago

Great post.

But I wouldn't take anything the frankster up there posts seriously.
Take a look at their post history here.
All he/she/it has done is post drivel in an attempt to rial up Senna fans.
Troll-seque behaviour...or the postings of a mentaly challenged person.

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he is God.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] polos_are_minty 14 years ago

No you don't. As far as I can tell, you dislike Senna because:

1) His Brazillian
2)He had a 'Latin' Tempremeant
3) 'Poms' like him

I'm sorry but I don't believe a disscusdion board about a great sportsman is the right place for your obvious racial hatred. Now please do us all a favour and go away.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Littlebitsofgaming 14 years ago

Yup, he had fans cos he was "Brasillian" (whatever that means) and he died.

As I said, postings of a mentaly challanged person.

Thanks for proving my point.

Also, no you do not make any points.
What you do is provide borderline rasict comments and nonsense, baseless drivel.
Example: We are fans of Senna cos he prayed before a race.

You are basing this observation on what exactly?

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he is God.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] polos_are_minty 14 years ago

You didn't answer his question. The only person *beep* on these boards is you. Really why don't you like him?

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] deadbodysurfing 14 years ago

Take your xenophobia elsewhere.

[–] teri-seaber 14 years ago

Well said! Senna was a genius racer.

[–] Mimbulus_mimbletonia 13 years ago

A++++!

-----
"I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy" - Neville Longbottom

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] DJ-Evolva 14 years ago

Andretti and Ascari?! LOL Are you trolling? :D I think you are.

Piquet was great and so was Stewart, Fangio and Brabham but Andretti and Ascari? Sorry to laugh on your face but i had to.

And just because your country makes cars you know better? Ahahah

Senna was a great champion and a legendary driver. Sure there were other legendary drivers i'll give you that. Prost, Fangio or even Shcumacher were legendary drivers, amongst a few others but there was one thing missing on all of them. Lets call it an "aura" for the lack of a better word.

Piquet is brazilian too but he was never shown the same support Senna had from the fans. Why is that? Why did people relate to Senna and not Piquet?

Why did most F1 drivers (schumacher included)say that Senna was the best driver ever?

Because he had something else. Because he was, is and will be for a very long time the best F1 pilot to race on the rain (and that is where skill is shown). Because he trully loved the sport and he tried to change for the better. Because he was easy to relate too. Because he was a good man who helped his country by making annonymous donations to lots of foundations. Because he worried about is fellow race drivers (there are lots of examples on old f1 footage of that). Among lots of other things.

Thats why he is the best ever. Not only for his driving skills but for the great man he was. Of course he had flaws. Every man has flaws, Perfection doesnt exist. Still, i would love to see the world full of people like him.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] teri-seaber 14 years ago

Anyone - I've been watching and waiting for the film to be shown near me (Cambs UK) but I've either missed it or it's not been here. Does anyone know where I can see it or do I have to wait for the DVD in October?

[–] darth_timon 14 years ago

Senna was capable of taking an average car and winning. Schu never did that. His Ferrari was a cut above the rest whilst he was winning.

Prost too, was good in a competitive car, but out of one what did he do? The only driver I can compare to Senna for drama and entertainment swas Mansell- their duels were amazing.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] darth_timon 13 years ago

Senna had a far inferior car to Prost in 1993 but, at Doddington, he went from 5th to first in the first lap. Schumacher's Ferrari was never as inferior to Williams and Mclaren as Senna's car was to Prost's that year, yet Senna pushed Prost all the way. Prost was so afraid of Senna that he had an exclusion clause in his Williams contract! Monaco 84, Senna lapped nearly four seconds faster than Prost! His car was inferior but he was much faster.

I think you don't like Senna purely because he was Brazilian and drove for a team you don't like.

[–] martytamu27 13 years ago

better than prost no question.
i rate ayrton slightly better than schumacher.
and you are right, ayrton was all racer

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] kubrikahn 13 years ago

Great, great movie! This is now tied for my favorite documentary of the year alongside Programming the Nation. If you haven't seen anything for that one, look into it ASAP. It's a real gem that approaches it's topic with balance and thoroughness. Great year for docs! bitly. com/raMjYx