Senna, we accelerate together: the fourth title is ours. With this phrase, written in Portuguese, the 1994 Brazilian National Team paid one of the most historic tributes to Ayrton Senna, displaying a banner shortly after their victory. Last week, this symbol of unity was delivered to the Senna family.
The banner had been preserved for 30 years and was brought to the headquarters of Senna Brands and the Ayrton Senna Institute by representatives of the victorious 1994 squad: players Paulo Sérgio, Zetti, Mauro Silva, Gilmar Rinaldi, and physical trainer Moraci Sant’Anna. They joined Bianca Senna, CEO of Senna Brands and niece of the legendary driver, for this special occasion.
The players emphasized Ayrton Senna’s vital role in inspiring their triumph in the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
“It was a very special day, delivering the banner that symbolizes gratitude and Ayrton Senna’s legacy. He was an inspiration to all Brazilians and to us during that victory. Senna wanted the fourth championship, and so did we. May his legacy continue to inspire and guide Brazilian society. It is clear that with passion and determination, any dream can be achieved,” said Mauro Silva, the midfielder who played in all seven matches of Brazil’s World Cup campaign.
Relive interviews with national team players about Ayrton Senna here.
According to Gilmar, one of the three goalkeepers on the squad, the idea for the phrase displayed on the banner originated from a conversation Ayrton Senna had with the players during a friendly match between the Brazilian National Team and a PSG/Bordeaux combined team on April 20, 1994. Senna kicked off the match, receiving applause from both Brazilian and French fans at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. Before the game, he interacted with the players, highlighting the shared mission of 1994: chasing the fourth championship in both football and Formula 1. At the time, Senna had already won three F1 World Championships in 1988, 1990, and 1991.
“He was with us every step of the way, from the start of our preparation. That phrase he said after stepping onto the field to kick off the game—‘I’ll be accelerating up there (in the stands)’—truly came to life. He drove us forward in every way, especially during the final. We knew this banner had to go to his family. He taught our team invaluable lessons about how to be true champions during the toughest and most pressured moments. We often drew on his words and his determination,” Gilmar Rinaldi explained.
The banner from the 1994 World Cup final had been safeguarded for three decades by Américo Faria, former superintendent of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). Now, it becomes part of the Senna family’s collection and Senna Brands’ legacy.
“It’s an honor to welcome these players. The banner will hold a special place in our collection because it symbolizes the union of two sports that deeply move Brazilians. I vividly remember watching Brazil win the World Cup and seeing the team celebrate Ayrton in that moment—it was incredibly special”, said Bianca Senna.