Driven to Succeed - What Makes a Sporting Genius?

Ayrton Senna was undeniably one of the greatest racing drivers of all time. His record of three world championships and forty-one grand prix victories speaks volumes for his talent.

A film portraying his rise to fame, from winning karting events in Europe to the ultimate tragedy of his death at Imola in 1994, has recently been released. The film consists of a skilfully spliced together collection of contemporaneous interviews, grand prix action and present-day commentary. The picture that emerges of Senna is of a deeply religious yet fun-loving man. A man for whom each achievement was an accomplishment to be bettered in the future. Not only is the narrative compelling; particularly the rivalry between Senna and another great, yet different, driver, Alain Prost, but it is also thought-provoking on a wider scale. Examining the internal and external forces that push high-achievers such as Senna can be a fascinating business. However, the question also arises: 'is there a common denominator between all great sportsmen and women?'

One does not need to stray too far from the subject of the film to find study material for that question. As mentioned earlier, Alain Prost was a contemporary of Senna. He retired in 1993, having amassed four World Drivers' Championship titles. On the face of it, the two drivers were very different: Senna was fast, aggressive, straight-talking, for whom only first place would do; and Prost was also fast, but more calculating with an acceptance that sometimes he needed to ease back and accept a lesser position in an individual race in order to prevail as world champion. Prost was also a consummate political player prepared to cultivate close personal relationships with key members of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA - motor sports governing body). However, the major correlation between these two elite performers was an overwhelming desire to win. One may say 'everyone wants to win' and there is, of course, a certain amount of truth in that. Nevertheless, there is a certain combination of attributes which sets the true champion apart from the chasing pack: a certain level of natural ability; a degree of self-belief far in excess of the average person; an attention to detail bordering on the obsessive; extreme devotion to both physical and mental preparation; and the correct personal circumstances to facilitate success. This last point covers a range of different family and social backgrounds. For example, in Senna's case his family's wealth enabled him to pursue a motor sports career in Europe in order to build on his success in Brazil. In contrast, poverty can be the driving force. We need look no further than Senna's fellow countryman, Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele, to most of the world), born into great poverty in Sao Paolo, for an example of sporting excellence used as a means of escape from penury.

So, we've narrowed the field down considerably by concentrating on the above recipe for success, but there are still any number of very good competitors who share these attributes, yet still fall short of true mastery. The problem with such a logical interpretation is that it ignores two factors which defy rational definition: genius and luck.

Genius is an over-used word in present-day sporting circles, but what does it truly mean in the context of competitive sport? To me it suggests an ability far beyond the boundaries of that which can be achieved by application of the criteria mentioned earlier in this piece. It is the spark that sets Lionel Messi apart from every other footballer on the planet at the time of writing. David Beckham is renowned for his ability as a footballer, diligent approach to training and physical fitness. However, it would be stretching a point beyond hyperbole to describe him as a genius. Another footballer to whom the soubriquet was applied was George Best, and it is true that he was supremely gifted. This though, begs another question; can a genius remain so described when they, as Best was seen to do in many people's eyes, squander their talent? In that kind of situation, we need to make a distinction between sporting genius and common sense. Taking Best as an example again, his decline was precipitated by both external forces and inner demons. The fact that his talent eventually succumbed to these forces should not detract from his status as a sporting genius in his pomp. It is when he lost his grip on the basic grounding for success mentioned earlier in this piece that his star began to wane.

So, the recipe seems to consist of maintenance of the attributes listed earlier plus that indefinable touch of genius, together with the mental resolve to let nothing interfere with the pursuit of perfection.

The final attribute, luck, is the most controversial. Gary Player's 'the harder I practice, the luckier I get' is an oft-quoted truism. Yet pure chance can intervene even in the fortunes of the best prepared competitors. Returning to Senna, the accident which ended his life is an example of this. Even a driver of Senna's majesty could do nothing to react to the mechanical failure which caused his car to career into a wall at Imola. Even then, the accident would not have been fatal had cruel misfortune not thrust a piece of his car at speed into his helmet, causing extensive brain injury, rather than sailing safely past his body.

Whatever it is that drives men like Senna onwards, it is always our good fortune as sports fans to be able to witness their greatness. I walked from the cinema, having been engrossed by the 105 minutes of Senna, enriched by the experience. For those of us enveloped by a love and appreciation of sport, the feeling engendered by watching its truly outstanding practitioners is inspiring and breathtaking. We are transported from the mundane to another place for a brief slice of time.

It is impossible as mere mortals for us to know what it feels like to absolutely know that you have the rest of the field for the taking: to have that supreme confidence in your ability that tells you that you are not about to fail... but we can dream.