Lewis Hamilton and his F1 rivals are paying tribute to Ayrton Senna 30 years on from his death(Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Ayrton Senna's niece hails Lewis Hamilton gesture at Brazil GP and opens up on F1 legend

Exclusive: Bianca Senna, chief executive of the Senna Brand, speaks to Mirror Sport about her uncle's legacy and Lewis Hamilton's tribute to the Formula 1 legend at Interlagos this weekend

by · The Mirror

Ayrton Senna's niece says she will be "proud" to watch Lewis Hamilton drive one of the Brazilian legend's Formula 1 cars at Interlagos this weekend.

The Brit will get behind the wheel of the title-winning MP4/5B, in which Senna won the 1990 title, after qualifying today. It is to mark the 30th anniversary year of Senna's death in a 1994 crash at Imola. Sebastian Vettel also drove one of the Brazilian's old racing machines at the Italian track earlier this year.

And Bianca Senna, CEO of the Senna brand, will be "super emotional" as she watches Hamilton delight the Brazilian fans in her uncle's old car. She told Mirror Sport: "Looking at that car back on the track, which is completely different from the F1 cars today, it is going to be extremely special.

"We are extremely proud to have today's champions cheering for Ayrton, passing the message, telling the new generations how important he was for their career and for their lives."

Senna is a national hero in Brazil and was loved not only for his talent on track but also for his commitment to using his platform to help people in his homeland off it. "Ayrton always had this relationship with Brazil and with people that was always beyond his racing," Bianca said.

"He was able to connect with people through his message of never giving up, of following your dreams no matter what. I think that is why people are still connected to him. Everybody needs to have a dream and to never give up, I think that is why [his legacy] is so everlasting."

Bianca was just 14 when Senna suffered his fatal crash, though, and while he was alive she simply saw him as the uncle she adored. She explained: "I understood who Ayrton Senna was after he died. For me, he was my uncle. It is a completely different view to what most of the people have of him.

Bianca Senna, F1 legend Ayrton Senna's niece, was just 14 when her uncle died( Image: Getty Images)

"On the track he was much more focused and in 'race mode', whereas when you were at the farm or at the beach house, he was very kind, very funny. He loved to do pranks on his nephews and nieces. He was such a nice person to be around."

To mark the 30th year since Senna's death, a new album has been released featuring audio clips of the racing legend speaking set against dance music. Chart-topping electronic artists including Nicky Romero, Meduza and Armin van Buuren are among those who have contributed to the 'Senna Driven' project.

"I love all the music and the idea of bringing his voice to each of the songs was actually based on the idea of passing this message," said Bianca. "Music is a way to motivate people. Sometimes when you are sad, you put on music and it makes you feel better. At least for me, that is how I feel.

Sebastian Vettel paid tribute to Ayrton Senna at Imola in May( Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)

"Through music, you can learn values, you can be inspired to go beyond. And I think that was the main goal of this project. That is why it is called Senna Driven and Seek Your Beat, because it is about seeking inwards and finding what makes you beat. Through the music and through Ayrton's voice, you can do that."

Senna won twice at Interlagos in his career and his niece is delighted that F1 continues to visit the Sao Paulo circuit every year. And this weekend Bianca will watch with intrigue as title rivals Max Verstappen and Lando Norris go head to head again.

She said: "It is our home race and one of the places that Ayrton loved most. This race can change the championship, so a lot of people will be watching this race during the weekend. I am sure it is going to be a great race."

Senna Driven is out now and available to stream on Spotify.

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