Leaky defence

Sir,

I have subscribed to MOTOR SPORT since 1963 and have always read DSJ’s articles with interest and enjoyment. I was, however, considerably saddened by reading his recent article Media spotlight.

At first I was puzzled by what appeared to be an entirely irrelevant discourse on the meaning of ‘media’. Then it became apparent that it was intended to be some sort of defence of Senna.

What DSJ appears to be saying is that had Senna’s comments, which clearly seemed to me to confirm that he had deliberately rammed Prost, been made in his native tongue, then “few people would have understood and it would all have been glossed over and forgotten”. That surely cannot be right!

He then goes on to imply that Senna is a professional and knows what he is doing and that any journalist who questions whether deliberate ramming is an acceptable tactic is a ‘dogooder’ and mere ‘media person’ as opposed to a true motor racing enthusiast.

I am not a journalist but I believe I am an enthusiast and I am appalled by Senna’s comments and attitude.

I know DSJ to be a great admirer of Senna and would be interested to read a further article by him, giving a rather more detailed and thoughtful analysis of the latter’s reported comments. It does seem, however, that DSJ has developed something of a blind spot so far as Senna is unconcerned, so perhaps such an article is unlikely.

Andrew Biggs,

Hong Kong.