Bruno Senna follows uncle Ayrton to sign for Williams

TWO of the great names of Formula One, Williams and Senna, are to be reunited after Bruno Senna, the nephew of Ayrton, who died wearing Williams colours in 1994, signed up to drive for the team in the upcoming season.
 
The 28-year-old Brazilian was unveiled as the replacement for compatriot Rubens Barrichello this week. He has signed a one-year deal to partner Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado for the Oxfordshire-based team
 
The legendary Ayrton Senna joined Williams in 1994, and died after crashing at the San Marino Grand Prix that year. It was only his third race for the team, but ever since then Williams F1 cars have featured an 'S' on their livery in his honour.
 
In The Daily Telegraph, Oliver Brown recalls that when Ayrton moved to Williams it was in pursuit of glory, as the team then had the fastest car in the sport. That is no longer the case, but he says: "For his nephew, the switch is laden with symbolism, as the 28 year-old steps inside a machine still emblazoned with the evocative family name."
 
Senna Jnr is unlikely to win the F1 title with Williams, but the deal means that Bruno has finally arrived as an F1 driver. He only made his debut in 2010 with new boys HRT. Last season he took over from Nick Heidfeld at Renault for the last eight races, but he got his chance only because of Robert Kubica’s injury.
 
That he has got as far as he has is testament to his talent. Andrew Benson of the BBC writes: "The great man's death brought Bruno's fledgling career to a shuddering halt at the age of 10. His family forbade him from racing, and it was not until 10 years later - very late for a man to start a career in single-seater racing cars - that Bruno was able to take it up again."
 
Now, after signing with Williams, F1 fans will see a Senna driving for Williams at the season's first official test session in Jerez, Spain, next month. ·