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Who is considered the greatest motorsport driver of all time and why?

Dorthy Shillingford

As a racing enthusiast and avid follower of motorsports, I can tell you that identifying the greatest driver of all time is a highly contentious and subjective topic. With so many drivers from different disciplines, eras, and levels of competition, it's a difficult question to answer definitively. However, I'll do my best to provide some insight into who I consider to be the greatest and why.

Firstly, I believe that greatness is not just about the number of wins, championships, or records, but also about the impact a driver has had on the sport and the way they approached their craft. With that in mind, my pick for the greatest driver of all time is Ayrton Senna.

Senna was a Brazilian Formula One driver who competed between 1984 and 1994, and tragically lost his life in a crash during the San Marino Grand Prix. During his ten-year career, Senna won three championships, 41 races, 65 pole positions, and set numerous records. But it's not just his impressive stats that make him the greatest driver of all time.

Senna had an innate talent for driving and a fierce competitive spirit that was evident from an early age. He approached racing with a meticulous attention to detail, spending countless hours studying the track, his opponents, and his own performance. He was also a master of the mental game, using his psychology training to get inside his opponent's heads and gain a psychological advantage.

But what really sets Senna apart is his unwavering passion for the sport and his commitment to improving the safety and conditions for drivers. Senna was vocal about the dangers of racing and pushed for changes to be made to ensure safer conditions for drivers. He also established the Senna Foundation, which has since helped countless underprivileged children in Brazil.

Senna also had a deep sense of spirituality and purpose that informed his racing and his life. He believed that racing was a form of art and that his purpose was to use his talent to inspire others. He once famously said, "I have no idols. I admire work, dedication, and competence". This quote sums up Senna's approach to life, and it's clear that he worked tirelessly to achieve greatness, not for personal gain but to inspire others to pursue their passions and make a positive impact in the world.

In conclusion, while there are many great drivers in the history of the sport, Ayrton Senna stands out as the greatest of all time. His talent, competitive spirit, commitment to safety and social activism, and sense of purpose make him a true inspiration and a legend in the sport of motorsports.