NAPLES, 30 APR – For the thirtieth anniversary of the death of Ayrton Senna (it was 1 May 1994), “Veloz como o vento” is released in Brazil, the fictionalized biography that Leonardo Guzzo dedicated to the great Brazilian driver. Published by the Maquinaria publishing house, the book is the Portuguese version of “Beco. Life in the novel of Ayrton Senna”, the work of the Campania writer released in Italy at the end of 2021 by Pequod. “Veloz como o vento” presents itself to all intents and purposes as a literary work, in which the symbolic suggestion of a modern hero of speed overlaps the story of the facts. A book halfway between novel and theatre, divided between the voice of an external narrator, who recounts some memorable episodes of Senna’s life and career, and the testimonies of people who have lived through that life in various capacities. Relatives, friends, collaborators, adversaries, life companions for years or just one night expose one after the other, in a refined plot, their own version of Ayrton. In the end it is Senna himself who speaks, preparing a well-known yet surprising epilogue. In the folds of Leonardo Guzzo’s suggestive language moves “Beco”, Ayrton as a child who wobbled when walking, as if he were drunk, and who his parents had renamed with the Portuguese name of a small mug of beer. Beco as a child then becomes an adult, he corrects his lack of balance but continues to wobble at speed, inside the cockpit of his single-seaters, in the perennial challenge to the limit. He wanted to be the best, Ayrton, better than himself first and foremost: to develop his ability until he became a unique champion. Leonardo Guzzo summarizes his philosophy by making him speak in the first person: “The most important thing, the only thing that matters, is to be yourself. Don’t allow others to change you because they want to change you. My motivation is to always win. I refuse to escape from the fight. It’s my nature, to go straight to the end.” Senna’s end came on the afternoon of May 1, 1994, due to an accident at the Tamburello curve of the Imola circuit. “Veloz como o vento” will be presented on May 1st and 2nd in Sao Paulo and Rio, in the presence of the author. (HANDLE).
