Book Review: Obrigado Ayrton by Paolo D’Alessio
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Positives
Negatives
Paolo D’Alessio’s Obrigado Ayrton was first published in 1994 by well known Italian publisher Giorgio Nada Editore as a Senna tribute book. Like most Giorgio Nada titles, an English version was published for the international market in 1995. As a Senna book, this is still more of a picture album rather than storybook. Let’s take […]
Paolo D’Alessio’s Obrigado Ayrton was first published in 1994 by well known Italian publisher Giorgio Nada Editore as a Senna tribute book. Like most Giorgio Nada titles, an English version was published for the international market in 1995. As a Senna book, this is still more of a picture album rather than storybook. Let’s take a closer look…
In 2013 for Senna book collectors, the obvious question is how Obrigado Ayrton compares with Paolo D’Alessio’s later Gribaudo series book Ayrton Senna which I reviewed last year. While the Gribaudo book is in the much smaller format size, Obrigado Ayrton is a large 27cm square sized hardcover book. You will see quite of few of the D’Alessio Senna photos that appear in both titles – its just the size of the reproductions are larger in Obrigado Ayrton. In addition to D’Alessio photos, there are shots from Actualfoto, Cockpit and Tajima.
The book is structured into chapters from each season from 1984 to 1994. There is a brief background summary of the season supplemented with photos from memorable races like Estoril ’85, Senna-Prost Suzuka ’89, Donington ’93, etc. Within each chapter there is also a glorious double page spread photo of Ayrton racing in that season’s car.
As I mentioned above, the color photography is excellent with good layout variation. Most, if not all of the photos are Ayrton in the car or on the podium – so the photos will definitely keep racing purists happy. Many of the Monaco photos are just excellent.
The back section of the book compiles Senna’s 41 victories and his pole positions.
Wow Factor or Money Shot: The double page spread photos. Also the last 2 pages contains a photo panel of Tolemann, Lotus, McLaren and Williams grand prix cars driven by Senna and a technical cutaway drawings of his world championship winning McLaren MP4/4, MP4/5B and MP4/6.
Suitable for: Senna fans
