Sixty-five years ago, on March 21, 1960, the man who would become one of Brazil’s greatest idols was born. We’re talking about Ayrton Senna, a Formula 1 driver who won the hearts of the whole world with his charisma and achievements in motorsport.
What some people don’t know, however, is that Senna was also a native of São Paulo. The driver was born in São Paulo and spent a good part of his youth in Serra da Cantareira, in the north of the capital. As a result, there are many addresses that keep the driver’s legacy alive, not only because of posthumous tributes but also because they keep remnants of his time here.
Ayrton Senna in SP: follow in the footsteps of F1’s most iconic driver
Ayrton Senna’s former homes in São Paulo
In his early years, Ayrton Senna lived with his family in a house on Rua Condessa Siciliano, in Jardim São Paulo. Many of the photos we see of the three-time champion during his childhood were taken there!
Today, the property is no longer in the Senna family’s possession. But in an interview with G1, the current owner, Marina Rey Rachas, says that she has kept the façade of the house intact, just as it was during the driver’s childhood.
Even Ayrton’s old bedroom has been preserved, with the same bed and closet that he used. The house does not receive visitors, but it is common for fans to visit the street to take photos of the façade.
Years later, while he was still competing, the driver bought another house in the North Zone. The property is at Rua Doutor Edson de Mello, 96, in Vila Maria Alta, and served as the driver’s office.
Nowadays, the place is used as a children’s school, which ended up modifying the classic façade from Ayrton Senna’s days.
Interlagos Karting Circuit
The Kartódromo de Interlagos Ayrton Senna didn’t get its name for nothing. After all, it was there that the driver took his first steps as a racer. In 1973, for example, the municipal kart track was the stage for his first official victory.
In addition, it was there that he practiced his races on rainy days during his youth, preparing himself for the future title of “King of the Rain”.
Interlagos race track
Finally, another São Paulo venue that marked the driver’s life was the Interlagos Autodrome, where Senna twice won the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix. But it wasn’t just on the podium that the driver made his mark.
In 1990, the circuit underwent a renovation that drastically changed the track layout. During the changes, the driver suggested an “S”-shaped curve linking two straight sections, and the proposal caught on. Thus was born the famous “Senna’s S”, which is not just named after him. He himself proposed the design!
Nowadays, the Interlagos Autodrome receives several tributes to the illustrious driver who made history on its tracks. One of them is the Ayrton Senna Sculpture, which is 3.5 meters high and was designed by the driver’s niece, Lalalli Senna.
Made of polished and faceted aluminum, the bust is part of the “Nosso Senna“ art circuit, which was inaugurated in 2023 to pay homage to the three-time Formula 1 world champion.
Another tribute in Interlagos is Eduardo Kobra’s mural, one of more than ten the artist has done of the driver. Inaugurated in 2020, the mural represents Ayrton Senna’s victory in the 1991 Brazilian Grand Prix, when he took first place after racing with only the sixth gear of his car.
In other words, if you want to follow in Ayrton Senna’s footsteps in São Paulo, you can’t miss Interlagos. In addition to the competitions and concerts that take place there frequently, you can visit the facilities on non-event days. You just can’t walk on the race track!
