Bruno Senna Eyes Honda Formula 1 Drive
Nephew of Ayrton Senna on Course for 2009 F1 Race Seat
Nov 21, 2008
Bruno Senna recently tested successfully for the Honda Formula 1 team. It remains to be seen whether the young Brazilian will be offered a race seat for the 2009 season alongside Jenson Button. Rubens Barrichello, the most experienced driver in Formula 1 history, remains a Honda driver for the moment. It would be a considerable gamble for the Japanese giants to replace the veteran Brazilian with a Grand Prix rookie.
Senna, a Famous Name in Formula 1
Senna carries the weight of a very illustrious name on his shoulders. His uncle, Ayrton, was a triple Formula 1 world champion and regarded by many as the greatest driver in motor racing history. He died after an accident during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. A short time later Senna also lost his father, in a motorcycle accident. The double family tragedy was enough to end Senna’s own racing ambitions for several years.
Senna’s Career in Formula 3 and GP2
When Senna returned to racing he competed in just a handful of lower formulae races before joining the cut-and-thrust world of Formula 3. Despite missing out on a karting career (which has become almost mandatory for Formula 1 hopefuls) Senna quickly adjusted to single-seater racing. In his second year of Formula 3 he started winning races, and demonstrated great ability in the wet, something for which his uncle was famed.
A move into far more powerful GP2 cars did not intimidate Senna and he again showed a remarkable aptitude for learning how to handle the new machinery. Senna was soon winning races and in 2008, his second year in the category, finished runner-up behind Giorgio Pantano. A highlight of the season was Senna’s win in the Monaco Grand Prix support race.
Senna may appear to be in a hurry to reach Formula 1 but he has made decisions which suggest he is prepared to wait for the right opportunity. At the end of 2007 he turned down an opportunity to test for Williams, citing a lack of experience. Senna also refused a test with Toro Rosso, preferring to work on establishing a strong relationship with Honda.
Will Senna Replace Barrichello?
A decision on Honda’s driver line-up is expected soon and Senna has done his chances no harm whatsoever with a strong Barcelona test where he outpaced GP2 rival Lucas Di Grassi, another candidate for the Honda seat. It seems increasingly likely that the Senna name will once again be on the Formula 1 grid in 2009.
