Less than a year before his tragic accident, Brazilian Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna signs an autograph at Paris airport.
- Autograph from Ayrton Senna for a fan, David Mette.
- One page, front and back.
- In French.
- 10 cm x 15 cm.
- Paris, 1-4 July 1993.
- Excellent condition of conservation.
- Unique piece.
David Mette tells of his meeting with Ayrton Senna, in early July 1993.
How did you meet Ayrton Senna?
I wasn't a fan in the true sense of the word, but I admired this great driver. When he arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport, he gave me this signature as he got off the plane at Terminal 1 in Roissy. He had flown with the Brazilian airline and was going to the French F1 circuit. In fact, I was working at the airport, so I could access certain restricted areas of the airport, which is how I had the chance to meet some celebrities. I was lucky to get close to him, because he was with a lot of people.
What memory do you have of the pilot?
A person of great kindness and elegance. He was dressed in light-colored trousers and a coat, perhaps cream-colored, and was tanned.
What exactly happened?
I handed him this card, a form filled out by all foreign passengers arriving at the airport and requested by the immigration authorities, because I had nothing else on me, and I had no pen. He responded positively to my request, stopped a few meters away from the crowd, put down his suitcase and took a pen from his brown briefcase!
Did you manage to take a picture with Senna?
Unfortunately I couldn't take any photos. At the time, there were no cell phones, so I didn't have a camera with me.
Why are you selling this autograph?
I would rather this document belong to a true Senna enthusiast, perhaps a Brazilian, than leave it in a drawer.
Authentic autographs by Ayrton Senna are very rare, he died young. Furthermore, most are fakes or in poor condition. This one is in perfect condition, authenticated... and signed less than a year before his tragic accident. The July 4th Grand Prix took place at Magny-Cours, and it was his great rival Alain Prost who won the race, with Senna finishing only fourth on his last visit to France.
