# Ayrton Senna's most inspiring quotes

"Whoever you are… one day you will get there", "Either you do something well or you don't do it" and "My limit is a bit above everyone else's": lines by the three-time Formula 1 champion on effort, fear, faith and the will to win, with the source of each.

- 103 votes · 13 items
- Oct 4, 2024 · M. Rodrigues
- https://even.best/en/l/5305/ayrton-senna-s-most-inspiring-quotes

## Top 13

1. **Whoever you are, always aim for great strength, great determination and (…) great faith in God, and one day you will get there.** (14 · ▲14 ▼0) — "Whoever you are, whatever your position in life, the highest or the lowest, always aim for great strength, great determination, and always do everything with a lot of love and great faith in God, and one day you will get there." Interview with journalist João Doria Júnior, 1994, in Angra dos Reis.
2. **… When I have to overtake, I will overtake. Every driver has his limit. Mine is a little above everyone else's.** (13 · ▲14 ▼1) — «I don't know how to drive any other way than at risk. When I have to overtake, I will overtake. Every driver has his limit. Mine is a little above everyone else's.» Quoted by Veja magazine (special issue, 3 May 1994); said in January 1989.
3. **What matters is winning. Everything, always. This idea that what matters is taking part is pure demagoguery.** (8 · ▲8 ▼0) — A widely quoted line, collected in the Portuguese Wikiquote.
4. **Accidents are unexpected and unwanted, but they are part of life. The moment you sit in a racing car and compete to win, second or third place is not enough.** (7 · ▲7 ▼0) — August 1991, quoted in Terra's special "20 years without Senna".
5. **When it comes to performance, commitment, effort and dedication, there is no middle ground. Either you do something well or you don't do it.** (6 · ▲8 ▼2) — Collected in the Portuguese Wikiquote.
6. **… Others, and I think I am one of them, learn to live with it and see it not as something negative but as a feeling of self-preservation.** (6 · ▲6 ▼0) — «Fear is part of our lives. Some people don't know how to face it. Others, and I think I am one of them, learn to live with it and see it not as something negative but as a feeling of self-preservation.» June 1991, quoted by Veja magazine.
7. **… Many people have the ability but not the opportunity. He gave it to me, I don't know why. I know I can't waste it.** (5 · ▲5 ▼0) — «God owns everything. I owe Him the opportunity I had to get where I got. Many people have the ability but not the opportunity. He gave it to me, I don't know why. I know I can't waste it.» Interview with the Boletim Salesiano, May–June 1994.
8. **I am afraid of death and pain, but I live with it well. Fear fascinates me.** (4 · ▲5 ▼1) — Quoted by Veja magazine (special issue, 3 May 1994); said in 1993.
9. **What do I feel in a car at 300 km/h? Emotion, pleasure and challenge.** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Quoted by Jornal do Brasil.
10. **I don't have idols. I admire work, dedication and competence.** (2 · ▲5 ▼3) — Quoted by Veja magazine (special issue, 3 May 1994); said in October 1981.
11. **The rich can no longer live on an island surrounded by a sea of poverty. We all breathe the same air. We must give everyone a chance, at least a basic chance.** (2 · ▲5 ▼3) — Quoted by Veja magazine, issue 1440 (1996).
12. **Brazilians only accept a title if it is the champion's. And I am Brazilian.** (1 · ▲4 ▼3) — Quoted by IstoÉ magazine, issue 1675 (2001).
13. **I am happy. I will be fully happy, perhaps, if I reach 60 with wisdom.** (0 · ▲3 ▼3) — October 1991, quoted in Terra's special "20 years without Senna".

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.