Stefano Fresi Narrates Senna In Monologue By GJ Squarcia

A unique and unrepeatable event at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola on May 1st at 9:00 PM, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the passing of Ayrton Senna

"Io & Ayrton" is a monologue about the life of Ayrton Senna, performed by Stefano Fresi, taking place on the evening of May 1st, 2024 at 9:00 PM on the start/finish straight of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. For the occasion, and for the first time in thirty years, Ayrton's Williams F16 will be returned to the exact spot where it stood on the day he set off on the last lap of his life: pole position, grid slot number one at Imola. On the evening of May 1st, the circuit's tower will screen, exclusively and in their entirety, the footage capturing Senna in the minutes before the start — images that have filled countless pages of commentary and analysis, shown here complete for the very first time — alongside photographs by Angelo Orsi, one of Ayrton's closest friends. In the stands, and on the track itself, the audience will help create an atmosphere charged with emotion and shared memory.

To tell Senna's story from that very spot, the place from which he left for the last time and never came back, comes an extraordinary artist: Stefano Fresi, accompanied by a five-piece band that includes his wife Cristiana, on vocals and saxophone.

Produced by Inside Man Films and written by GJ Squarcia, the monologue is the only audiovisual work commissioned by the Senna family in the year marking the thirtieth anniversary of Ayrton's passing. It is a story of redemption and motivation spanning the decade from 1984 to 1994, from the Brazilian driver's first to his last Formula 1 race. It runs as a parallel journey between Senna and a young Italian boy, the narrator. One navigating the obstacles of racing, the other the hardships of a difficult life. At the time of Ayrton's first race, the narrator is just 13 years old, his future already looking bleak. Watching Senna, he finds the strength to face his struggles and the courage to never give up. The monologue captures the greatness of the driver, but above all of the man, not just through his legendary victories but through his defeats as well. Defeats he always came back from. Stronger than before.

The Book

Written by director and screenwriter Giorgio J. Squarcia, the text of the monologue will be published as a book of the same title, released in bookstores on May 21st by publisher PaperFirst, launching their new "Pop" imprint. The book is enriched by original contributions from Cesare Cremonini, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Linus, Daniele Massaro, Alessandro Costacurta, Leo Turrini, Adriano Panatta, Paolo Barilla, Andrea Bocelli, Rocco Benetton, Giampaolo Dallara, Massimo Zanetti, Evaristo Beccalossi, Stefano Domenicali, and Silvia Colombo.