Something came to mind today. People try to level up Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna all the time. I think that if Senna lived and Michael died (I know it's a bit tongue in cheek), would Michael be loved more? I believe that some of the people that keep praising Senna's name didn't even watch F1 back then. And the only reason they find him great is because he passed away... I will sum up who is better, both if Senna lived and Michael kept on racing the F1 world would be locked in a battle over many years, I think that it was fate that time ran out so abruptly for one great man... I also have another thing to say, "I would like to see a driver return to F1 whilst entering no racing competition in the gap between and knowing no rule changes or never experiencing the new compounds of tyres and still to fairly well in 2010" seen this comment on youtube, makes me feel better about his chances next season.
I'm old enough to have seen Senna in action and although I wasn't a fan of him at the time, his death was the saddest thing I have encountered in sport, I will always remember watching his last race and the tragic circumstances unfolding. He was a legend, even if you weren't on his side, and the only driver I would feel the same way about now is Hamilton, I'm not a fan but I would feel the same way.
For me Senna was the best ever.He had something more that NO ONE will ever have Charisma Talent etc etc. Schumacher struggled to beat Rosberg on a regular basis.If he does so in 2011 then I can say that he is back on form.
Unfortunately I'm not old enough to have seen Senna race against Schumacher et al, but I have done my best to watch past races and championship fights. He was a F1 legend, his wet weather driving was astounding, technical knowledge was mind blowing, and his overtaking was inspirational to say the least. I do believe some other young fans think he was a legend because he was killed when racing, without seeing what a truly great driver he was. Senna was, as Lorca would say, "the most complete F1 driver ever". His crash showed how good a driver he was though (hear me out!!). I've seen a number of videos showing what happened. He was going much faster than the lap before, and a bump threw him off line. He actually managed to use opposite lock, but the car launched him into the wall, which should have had a tyre wall. If Senna hadn't of died, I think he would have gone as long as Schumacher would have in his career. I think he's a few years older than Schumacher, but I wouldn't have been suprised if he would have came back in 2010 along with Schumacher, just to sort out a few past battles! And besides, Schumacher, Senna, Hamilton, Alonso and maybe Vettel would have been fantastic.
Wasn't Senna 31 when he died? I agree with what Manny's saying here, people always look back on people favourably when they die a tragic death. People rarely have statues made in their honour when they're still alive, because their achievements become embellished when they pass. I can remember someone (not sure if it was someone in the industry or somebody I know personally) saying that all Schumacher has left to do to become the greatest is die at the wheel. Personally I think it's difficult, if not impossible, to judge who is best at any given time, let alone to compare between eras. Senna and Schumacher are both among the greats.
