30 years without Senna: "Ayrton continues to influence people's hearts and lives"

São Paulo, May 1 (EFE).- Lalalli Senna remembers her uncle as a "magical, beloved and funny Santa Claus" because he always brought her gifts. Today she is one of those in charge of preserving the legacy of the great Brazilian Formula One champion, who continues to live "in the hearts of the people" 30 years after his death.

Camera: Carlos Meneses.

STATEMENTS BY LALALLI SENNA, NIECE OF AYRTON SENNA:

It's very exciting to see how Ayrton, 30 years later, continues to influence people's hearts and lives, as he did all over the world, you know? It's very impressive for us.

For me, Aryron was the 'Becão'. Later, when I grew up, I understood that he was Ayrton Senna, but as a child, for me, he was my uncle. His nickname was 'Beca' and he was a very dear uncle, very magical, very playful, very funny.”

“He would take us to play, all the kids in the family, he would go jet skiing with us. He would make jokes with us, tease us. During the vacations, he would play with us in the pool. He was very funny and very loved. He always arrived full of presents. He was like Santa Claus. He came a few times a year, but he was very intense.

He spent all the vacations with us, he came loaded with gifts, things from sponsors, from fans, red clothes, like that. In my memory as a kid, he was almost like a Santa Claus. He was amazing.”

“Me and my family are very surprised by the love people have for him. I think he touched a special place in people's hearts. It went beyond the athlete. Somehow, he touched a place that inspires people to overcome their own adversities, inspires them to be the best version of themselves. He had that energy, that motivation that he brought to people. It's unanimous all over the world. It is difficult to find such an almost unanimous personality and Ayrton did it.

STATEMENTS BY JUVENAL FERREIRA, FAN:

“It's a day I could never forget and that's why I came here to pay tribute to him”.

STATEMENTS BY CAIO MAIA, FAN:

“Senna represented my childhood. Not only for the driver he was, but for the person. He represents the family togetherness every morning, the early mornings when he was racing in Japan. He represents all of that.

STATEMENTS BY NATASHA AMARAL, FAN:

“I accompanied him with the family every Sunday morning. That excitement, that expectation of seeing him arrive, of raising the flag, the victory music... All these are the memories I have of Senna to this day”.

STATEMENTS BY LUCAS SABINO, FAN:

“(Senna) meant everything to us, more for real life than for what he was in Formula One.”