12 June,2014 08:32 AM IST | | Kashinath Bhattacharjee
Three-time world champion, one of the greatest sporting heroes of Brazil, was killed in an accident at age 34 while leading the 1994 San Marino GP; mid-day visits the legend's grave near Sao Paulo
F1 legend Ayrton Senna's grave at the Morumbi cemetery. Pic/Kashinath Bhattacharjee
'Nada pode me separar do amor de deus'. (Nothing can separate me from the love of God'). A devout Catholic, Formula One legend Ayrton Senna lies under a brass plaque that solemnly says so. The cemetery, Cemitario do Morumbi, is in the Rua Deputado Laercio Corte, near Sao Paulo.
(Inset) Ayrton Senna and F1 legend Ayrton Senna's grave at the Morumbi cemetery. Pic/Kashinath Bhattacharjee
The grave, which looks like any other, is at the centre of the Morumbi cemetery. The only difference is, you know from far where Senna is lying because it is specially cordoned off with thin black and yellow tape. A small Brazil flag is visible to the visitors once they enter the graveyard.
Across the grave is a tree, which has a few flowers, but there are no leaves on it due to the weather. Three-time world champion Senna, considered to be one of the greatest sporting heroes of Brazil, was killed in an accident at the age of 34 while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
On May 1 this year, fans from across the world visited the cemetery to pay tribute on Senna's 20th death anniversary. Just months before the 1994 FIFA World Cup kicked off in USA, Brazil was in mourning following Senna's deadly crash. That year, the Brazilian football team clinched the coveted trophy after 24 years.
The victory was dedicated to Senna, who was Brazil's main source of joy when their footballers were going through a rough patch.
