Iconic Senna name close to returning to F1 grid

MADRID, Spain — He has the looks, the attitude and the name. Most importantly, Bruno Senna appears to have the talent.

The nephew of the late Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna is on the verge of returning the family’s iconic name to the circuit’s starting grid for the first time since his uncle was killed in an accident 14 years ago.

But Bruno Senna’s chosen career path hasn’t come easy, especially after his father was killed in a motorcycle accident not long after his uncle’s fatal crash at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.

“It was kind of a taboo. I just had to respect the pain and the family, I just had to cope with it,” Senna told the Associated Press trackside at this month’s German Grand Prix.

Senna’s mother, Viviane, coped by refusing to let auto racing enter her son’s life for the next decade, even if her brother had seen promise in his 8-year-old nephew on the family farm near Sao Paulo, Brazil.

But when his mother asked him what he wanted to do with his life — he was 18 and working at a car dealership to stay close to wheels — the answer was simple, he wanted to race.

“She wasn’t expecting that,” Senna said. “It was more surprising than about getting mad over it for her.”

Though she didn’t get mad, she didn’t immediately acquiesce, either.

“(I was) totally surprised because he had never said this before,” she said. “I made him wait two years to be sure that it was not just a (daydream).”

Senna drove karts during that time, breaking six ribs in the process. The dedication was there, even in a vehicle that barely contained his 5-foot-9 frame.

Everything changed in 2005 when his mother brought an old green and yellow helmet of Ayrton’s to Gerhard Berger, a former F1 driver and the Toro Rosso owner. She also showed Berger some pictures of Bruno, and soon he was invited to test a Formula 3 car in Valencia, Spain, before eventually competing in the series.

After two years, Senna jumped to GP2 for 2006 and is now second in the F1 feeder series, 15 points back of Giorgio Pantano in his iSport car.

But with a lot more attention.

“I’m quite used to having a lot of attention, since the beginning when there was no reason to have attention, it was just because of the name. But now it is because of the name and because I’m doing quite well and maybe on the verge of going to F1, and I think people recognize my work,” said the Brazilian, whose full name is Bruno Senna Lalli. “Hopefully most of the interest that I’m getting, which is growing with each race, is because of the results.”

Senna followed a win on the famous Monaco street circuit in May with a skillful drive in the rain to take the British GP, demonstrating similar ability to his three-time world champion uncle.

“With his victory in Monaco, Senna moved into the field of vision,” Berger said of Senna’s growing F1 profile.

Toro Rosso has a vacant seat for 2009 and speculation spread quickly due to Senna’s relationship with Berger.

“They have a Red Bull driver lineup, which is a priority. Toro Rosso is a Red Bull team. (But) I want an opportunity in F1, whether its Toro Rosso or another,” said Senna, who stopped to autograph a photo of Ayrton for one of his fans.

The 24-year-old says he doesn’t feel rushed to reach top-level racing despite his late start.

“Not at all. I had very good bases and it helped me to grow and be strong inside. When I have bad results I don’t get down inside, I keep up the momentum, the energy, I’m still pushing strong to come back,” he said. “I try to keep on a good run.”

Maintaining the momentum became easier when his family moved to London with him three years ago.

“All the family is around and it’s very nice,” said Senna, who counts on his sister Bianca as his agent. “Not only can you trust your family, it’s a good relationship we have, they have the experience from Ayrton’s time, they know a bit, though they weren’t as connected to motor racing as they are now.”

Though he gets by without being recognized in London, that is starting change in Brazil. Even so, Senna is more likely to turn heads among veteran mechanics who might have known his uncle, whom he closely resembles when’s sporting a cap and overalls. Senna tells of one McLaren mechanic who went into shock after seeing him.

“We have very similar lines and very similar ways of speaking and dealing with things,” he said.

Hopefully, Senna can continue to deal with his past and future so well.