Rivalry of the Century ~ Ayrton Senna Love Story

Seeing Light Again

Brazil Grand Prix 1985

Isabelle's POV

It was weird to think that I was going back to a Grand Prix after everything that had happened, but here I was walking in Sao Paulo the day before qualifying. People would stop me in the street, asking for photos and getting autographs, something I was still not used to. I was nervous, scared even, just thinking about going to a Grand Prix. I couldn't tell if it was because my family would be there or because he would be there. After the end of the '84 season, I hadn't heard from Senna at all. I figured he didn't want to talk to me after I made a scene, getting too close to him after the racing, after all, it did end up on the news. I continued exploring the streets, taking in the beauty of it all, until I noticed the amount of people on the streets. Kids looking through garbage in ripped shirts, and skinny dogs with their ribs protruding through their fur. A little girl walked up to me, no older than 9 years old, and started speaking to me in Portuguese,

"Do you have any money or food to spare?" 

"I don't have any on me right now, but how about we go find something for you?"

She holds out her hand to me and I grab it, walking with her down the streets until we arrive at some vendors. I look around and see some fruit and bread being sold and I go to buy quite a bit of food, handing her a portion of it before asking her,

"Do you have family?"

"I have a younger brother, my momma is sick."

"Can you take me to them? Are there others near you?"

"Yes, it's this way."

I followed her through the streets to an area where many people were sitting in groups, holding the extra food I had brought I started walking to different groups handing out food and water. I talk with them the best I can, sometimes missing words they were saying as my brain was trying to keep up with translating. I hear a voice behind me,

"Isabelle, is that you?" I turn towards the voice, seeing a woman with dark hair looking at me.

"Yes, do I know you?"

"We haven't met, but I've heard a lot about you. I'm Viviane."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Viviane, what are you doing around here?" I hold out my hand to her and she shakes it, smiling at me.

"I come down here, handing out water and giving out blankets and other items to the people here."

I smile fondly, it warms my heart to see people with compassion. After being in a greedy industry for so long, it was refreshing to see there were still people in the world who genuinely helped people.

"Would you like me to show you around? I assume you're here for the Grand Prix, I'm going as well and it would be nice to have a friend."

"I would love that, thank you. I don't really know anyone besides my brother and Niki Lauda," I replied gratefully.

After talking to the people a bit longer, we left walking down the streets talking and enjoying the sights around us. It was nice to finally have another friend around me, where I can feel like I can be myself for once. We even went down to the beach enjoying the sun some more before it was getting dark and I needed to leave.

"Well, I should be getting some sleep, where would you like to meet for the Grand Prix?" I ask her.

"We can meet at McLaren if you want. I assume that's where you'll be staying seeing as Niki and Prost will be there."

"That would be perfect thank you."

Grand Prix Qualifying...

I was walking around the paddock, stopping by at Toleman to say hi to some of the workers I was close with last year. Everyone was still welcoming and even as I continued onwards, many people smiled and waved at me from all sorts of teams. I had to pass by Lotus where I subconsciously looked for him in the crowd of people. There he was, with hair shorter than before, but still just as messy. I could feel myself lingering at Lotus, watching Senna talk with his new teammate, looking very serious. Seeing him like this reminded me of all the times I spent hanging around the garage as he worked hard learning about the car. When I'm suddenly met with Senna looking back at me, I let out a gasp and continue walking towards McLaren.