Ayrton Senna, was a Brazilian Formula One triple world champion. He is considered by many to be the greatest racing driver in Formula One history. His life, character and the circumstances of his death have caused his story to approach what could arguably be termed a modern legend. A spectacularly talented driver with an unyielding and sometimes controversial will to win, Senna was a complex character who fascinated Formula One fans the world over. His death whilst leading the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola in 1994 is still mourned, particularly in Brazil. As the son of a wealthy Brazillian landowner, he quickly developed an interest in motor racing. Encouraged by his father, a racing enthusiast, Senna got behind the wheel of his first kart at the age of four. He entered karting competition at the legal age of 13. Ayrton Senna himself describes his first ever kart race in a documentary that was made in the early 80s. He described how the circuits were made on regular streets and car parking lots. Starting positions were written on pieces of paper, mixed in a helmet and were drawn. The number he drew for his first race was the number 1. He therefore started his first ever race from pole position.The competitors were far more experienced but could not keep up with him on the straights as he was much lighter due to being much younger than they were. He states that they were much better in the corners of course, and eventually someone hit him from behind and he spun off. In 1977, he won the South American Kart Championship, and was runner up several times in the World Championship but never won. Heading for Europe in 1981, he entered the British Formula Ford 1600 competition, which he won. He also adopted his mother's maiden name, Senna, as da Silva is a very common name in Brazil.In 1982 Senna won two of the European races - the British and European Formula Ford 2000 Championships. In addition to winning the prestigious and high-profile Macau Grand Prix, Ayrton saw off the challenges of Martin Brundle in the 1983 British F3 championship, and after testing with Williams, McLaren, Brabham and Toleman, he managed to secure a seat with the latter in time for the 1984 Formula One season.