Many foreign racers have graced the NASCAR racing circuits over the years. It was stock car racing that has been the luring factor for most of the racers, but not for Max Papis. The way the Italian racing icon was drawn towards open-wheel car racing and Indy car championships was highly indestructible. But to everyone’s surprise, it was all an influence of the legendary Brazilian F1 racer Ayrton Senna, who is regarded as one of the best racers to feature in Formula 1 and is the only Brazilian to have won the championship three times.

Not only that, Max Papis, who had no background or knowledge of racing, looked up to Senna for guidance in his early racing days. Recently, Papis was a featured guest on Kenny Wallace’s show, Kenny Conversation, where he opened up about his racing chapters and early days of racing and referred to Ayrton Senna as his cousin, an older brother whom he looked up to. It was Max Papi’s mentor, the engine tuner Diego, who introduced Ayrton Senna to him, which sparked their connection.

Max Papis explains his equation with Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna

The engine tuner and maestro, Diego and Max Papis were childhood acquaintances. However, Ayrton Senna, who was then in his early stages of racing, came to Europe and resided with Diego in the neighboring village of Papis’. The former was plying his trade in Formula 3 at that time, and the latter, who himself was quite young, was impressed by Senna.

Explaining his relationship with Ayrton Senna, Max Papis, while speaking with Kenny Wallace, said, “I think of Ayrton like my cousin, like my older brother… I don’t exactly recall when I met Senna because I was a young kid, but I took an interest in this young kid that was racing Formula 3 and mentored by this gentleman (Diego). Senna really was my advisor; he paved the road; he guided me and my dad in making all the decisions.”

Max Papis, having raced in Formula 1, decided it was not the best racing experience for him and moved to America. Unfortunately, in 1994, Ayrton Senna met a tragic accident at the San Marino Grand Prix at the Imola Circuit in Italy that led to his demise. Papis also recalled the tragic period and suggested that in the absence of Ayrton Senna, his career growth was perhaps hindered.

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“Unfortunately, going back to what I told you when I left F1, he passed away. My family had no background in racing. I was alone, so from there on, was a lot of decisions we had to take on our own, with very little experience, and that’s why my career took longer to grow; it was not an easy path.” The switch to America certainly worked out for Papis. The very first race he raced at Dayton earned him the nickname “Mad Max.”

Max Papis announces himself at the 1996 Rolex 24 in Daytona

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Having made a big switch from Europe to America, Papis was certainly in unfamiliar territory. However, this factor could somehow weigh on him and would have soon been thrown out of the window. However, his performance at the 1996 Rolex 24-hour exhibition race at Daytona took everyone by surprise. Max Papis was driving the Ferrari prototype, which had to undergo some creative repairs.

Despite being battered by other riders, Papis kept his focus and ran some of the fastest laps on the circuit. However, it was Wayne Taylor driving the Ford that took home the win in that race. Nevertheless, for the first big race, Max Papis certainly made himself and Ayrton Senna proud.

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Papis went on to have an amazing career ahead of him. From open-wheel car championships to stock car racing in NASCAR, he has achieved some amazing feats. Perhaps Max Papis is a racer who deserves more recognition like that of Ayrton Senna. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below.