di Montezemolo: “Senna could have ended his career at Ferrari”

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo explained on the Ferrari website Team Ferrari that he and Senna had met shortly before the tragic Imola weekend. The Brazilian wanted to join the Italian team and the Italian team wanted him. “He told me that he appreciated our position regarding the excessive use of electronics in pilot aids, which masked the qualities of the pilots. We talked for a long time in my house in Bologna on April 27. It was clear he wanted to join us. We agreed to meet again subsequently, in order to study the situation in relation to its contractual obligations. (The Brazilian was under contract with Williams, Editor’s note). We were on the same wavelength: Ferrari would be the best place for the rest of his career. Unfortunately, fate took Ayrton and Roland Ratzenberger from us. »

The Italian also explains that he has always been an admirer of the former teammate ofAlain Prost in McLaren. “I had always appreciated Senna’s driving. He had an incredible will to win, like all great champions, and never stopped seeking perfection and improving. He was extraordinary in qualifying, but also a superb fighter in the race. »

Di Montezemolo recalls that Senna had almost joined the Scuderia a few years before his disappearance, but that the deal could not come to fruition. An episode that you can find in our 180-page Special Edition dedicated to the triple Brazilian world champion, still available for sale in digital version, or on newsstands.

You can also find Ron Dennis's memories of Magic in the 1958 issue of AUTOhebdo, available in digital version and also on newsstands since this morning.