How old is Senninha, a character inspired by Ayrton Senna?

This Friday, the 29th, the series “Senna” premieres on the Netflix streaming platform, a production responsible for portraying the life of one of the greatest idols of the Brazilian people: Ayrton Sennathree-time Formula 1 world champion who died exactly 30 years ago after an accident during the San Marino GP, in Imola.

In addition to being a big name in the sport, Senna It is also inspiration for people of different ages and from different areas. His influence is so great that, even after his death, Ayrton continues to influence generations who did not have the opportunity to see him race.

One of the ways chosen to transmit the pilot’s values ​​to younger generations was the creation of the character Senninha, who was inspired by the idol and is aimed at children, remaining a striking figure to this day. But, have you ever wondered how old the little boy inspired by the athlete is?

Senninha’s age

Contrary to what many might imagine, Senninha is not in her 30s, just like Ayrton was when the character was created in the early 1990s. In fact, as explained on his official website, the boy is only 8 years old, and has characteristics based on his own childhood. Ayrton.

This is because, despite being created by the visual and advertising artist Rogério Martinsnext to the illustrator Ridaut Dias Jr.the character had the participation of Ayrton Senna and your mother, Neyde Silvaduring the creation process, who gave specific details about the pilot’s childhood, including physical characteristics and personality.

Its official launch took place in 1994, shortly before the death of Sennadebuting through magazines and comics that were distributed for free in schools and branches of the National Bank, before being sold on newsstands across the country every fortnight. His first comic book was “Senninha e Sua Turma”, which is available digitally on the pilotinho’s official website.

In addition to being a way of bringing the figure closer to Ayrton Senna of children and transmitting their values, Senninha also fulfilled one of the pilot’s greatest desires: to support social causes, a desire maintained to this day, as part of the profits generated by the character are directed to the Ayrton Senna Institute, an organization that was also based on in the athlete’s dream, and seeks to help improve public education in Brazil.

Since its creation, Ayrton He was always passionate about piloting, and was seen wearing the boy’s t-shirt very often. On the tragic 1st of May 1994, inclusive, the day of the last race Sennathe idol was wearing a character t-shirt underneath his overalls.

Despite his death, Senninha remains a striking figure to this day, being a recurring figure in educational materials and the most different products sold by Senna Brands, a company created by the athlete’s family.

In 2024, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its launch, Senninha gained a series of commemorative content, including a special episode of its animation. Titled “The Little Pilot of the Future”, in the cartoon, the boy enters a time tunnel after accelerating at such a high speed that he is taken back to 1994, finding his first version again.