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<strong>Ayrton Senna Special:</strong> Extra 2: Trashtalk (1988)

Ayrton Senna Special: Extra 2: Trashtalk (1988)

Published on 20 Apr 2019 14:00
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By: Fergal Walsh

At the start of the 1988 season, Brazil had two drivers who would compete for the world title. Ayrton Senna and Nelson Piquet. Piquet had switched to Lotus after his world title success the year before, while Senna went from Lotus to McLaren. In our report on Gérard Ducarouge, we talked about the character attack that Piquet committed against Senna in the Lotus factory.

Who started it? Who opened fire? Did both go beyond what was necessary? The fact remains that from Piquet's point of view, Senna has always been looked at in a 'negative' way. The darkening of the other with the accompanying insinuations already started before Ayrton's Formula 1 career. At the beginning of the eighties, Piquet called Senna 'the taxi driver' from Sao Paulo.

The first real confrontation came in 1983 when, according to Senna, Piquet had insisted that the Brabham, which Ayrton would test on Paul Ricard, should be sabotaged by the mechanics.

Early April 1988 was the first Formula 1 weekend of the season in Rio de Janeiro. At the circuit, the expectations were high for both Brazilians. Senna started with the first provocation towards Piquet. When asked by reporter Sérgio Rodrigues why Ayrton hadn't spoken to the press for so long, he answered: "I had to give Piquet the chance to have his say.

"It is, of course, no fun for a three-time world champion that I am always in the centre of attention. Because nobody likes him, this was the only way for me to let him speak again." Although it was very clear that Ayrton told this with a witticism and had no other bad intentions with it, Piquet's remarks were wrong.

Piquet decided to hire a Brazilian journalist friend named Eloir Maciel. He wrote an article in the newspaper with the name: "Piquet reopens the private war with Senna". Piquet's quote: "Senna didn't speak to the press in Brazil because he didn't want to explain that he doesn't like women", was a remark that was heavy under the 'beltline'. Piquet had already fought with Nigel Mansell one season earlier, by terribly insulting his wife. Piquet's statement about Senna's private life in the paddock was mistaken for 'truth' in the Brazilian media. Especially since Ayrton was separated from his then-wife Adriane Yamin at the beginning of his racing career.

Eloir Maciel wrote, among other things, that Ayrton, at the time of his marriage, would have had several relationships. All this on the basis of the information that the journalist of Nelson Piquet would have received. There was also a story from Piquet that Ayrton's facial paralysis (to which we paid attention in an earlier report), would have come from sexual intercourse with women and men.

Ayrton threatened a court case against Piquet which was called for clarification. Piquet minimized the story and his lawyer Geraldo Gordilho claimed that there was a misinterpretation. In the area of justice, the case did not go any further and finally both decided to focus on their home race.

F1 News

Replies (1)

JuJuHound

Posts: 352
From what I know there was a story from Senna who was visiting F1 paddock at the beginning of 80s when he was still driving lower catgories. He wanted to introduce himself to Nelson who ignored Ayrton. I'm sure it didin't help their relationship from beginning.

I like this photo of these guys
i.pinimg.com/origi(...)c258c2b7b6136ce.jpg
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- Apr 23 2019 - 13:15