Jerez: Bruno Senna's grandparents have never attended any of his races and, as he prepares for a new start in Formula One with Williams, he does not expect them to do so now.
The Brazilian says his family is completely supportive as he treads in the footsteps of his late uncle Ayrton but the 28-year-old also recognises that the pain of the past will always be there.
Ayrton, perhaps the greatest of all grand prix drivers and certainly one of the most charismatic, died in a Williams at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in a crash that threw both nation and sport into mourning.
He had won his three titles with McLaren and that tragic weekend was only his third race for the 1993 champions.
"I hope it is going to be a great, nice chapter," Bruno, affable and enthusiastic, told Reuters at the Jerez circuit where on Thursday a Senna will step into a Williams as a Formula One race driver for the first time since 1994.
"The beginning of history to be honest. Many people ask me about how my family felt about my coming to Williams and everything. Everybody is super happy. My grandfather [Ayrton's father], everybody because everybody has been working so hard for this to happen.
Good pedigree
"They know that the team is a strong team with a good pedigree ... hopefully we will back on top form together."
Williams offers a chance for Bruno to show he deserves to be in Formula One on merit and not just for the name and sponsorship he brings.
Although he entered Formula One in 2010 with struggling HRT and then started eight races for Renault last year, yesterday was the first time he has taken part in a pre-season test since he was a GP2 driver in 2008.
Senna once told reporters that ‘If you think I'm fast, just wait until you see my nephew Bruno' but the world is still waiting for the evidence.
