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Todt: Senna had his sights on Ferrari

The story has been told before, but FIA President Jean Todt brought it forward once again, confirming that Ayrton Senna was once ready to be led to the gates of Maranello.

Todt revealed that a meeting between himself and the Brazilian took place one late night in 1993 at the VIlla d'Este on Lac Como.

Senna expressed his interest in leaving McLaren for Ferrari, an opportunity Todt could not fulfill however as the Scuderia already had both Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi under contract.

"He [Senna] wanted to come to Ferrari and Ferrari wanted him," Todt told Auto Bild Motorsport.

"I had a long meeting with him in 1993 and I was fascinated by the sound of his voice. He spoke very slowly and extremely clearly."

Senna apparently brushed aside Ferrari's contractual situation with its drivers, claiming that "in Formula 1, contracts have no value," according to Todt.

A while later, when a seat opened up at the Scuderia, Todt tried to convince Senna to join forces with the Italian squad.

"I called him again to make him an offer for 1995, but he declined as he had already decided on [racing for] Williams."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.