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It's been 30 years since Brazilian Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna passed away at the San Marino Grand Prix; a tragedy that would quickly spawn comprehensive car and track regulations in the name of driver safety. The anniversary serves as a time for remembrance, and in lockstep with a new Netflix series about Senna's life, ASICS plans to tribute the late Formula 1 star with a set of GEL-Kayano 14s.
Senna was and remains one of the most revered athletes in the motorsports world. His ten-year career saw a total of 41 wins to go along with three world titles, and he was posthumously inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2000. Despite all those accolcades, however, Senna's legacy is best embodied by his philanthropy. He donated millions to help support underprivileged children in Brazil throughout his professional career, and after his passing, Senna's family formed the Instituto Ayrton Senna in order to continue the mission he held dear.
While we've yet to get a full glimpse at the ASICS shoes on tap, they're clearly inspired by Senna's Lotus and McLaren cars. The Lotus colorway delivers John Player Special livery in black and gold, while the McLaren comes in Marlboro-esque red, white, and black. Japanese text reading "Ayrton Senna" appears on the heel of the McLaren, and the Lotus incorporates a green and yellow tag inspired by Senna's iconic Brazil helmet.
Both Ayrton Senna GEL-Kayano 14s release in Brazil on December 9th before launching worldwide on December 10th. Stick with us while we keep our head up for more images over the coming days.