The world of Formula 1 has lost one of its great characters. This Tuesday (13), Karin Sturm, a German journalist who had a very close relationship with Ayrton Senna, died at the age of 64. The cause of death was not disclosed.
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The reporter had more than 40 years of on-site coverage in the paddock and became one of the first women to achieve such a feat in the main category of motorsport. Gradually, she earned the respect of great figures in the competition.
Throughout her career, Sturm, who worked for various media outlets, and not just German ones, wrote numerous books, some about Michael Schumacher, others about Sebastian Vettel – with whom she also maintained a closer relationship. But one of her most acclaimed works is about the three-time champion Senna: “Ayrton Senna – His Victory, His Legacy”.
In fact, the journalist maintained a very close relationship with Ayrton and the whole family, and even learned fluent Portuguese because of the driver.
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On her social media, Mariana Becker published a text talking about Karin, her influence, her relationship with Senna, and her affectionate and gentle way of working. “German reporter Karin Sturm, one of the first women to cover the F1 world championship, has died. She wrote for various publications, not just German ones. She was already on the tracks, very well established, when I arrived,” she began.
“I was immediately surprised by the fact that she spoke fluent Portuguese, and soon the explanation came to me, as until then I only knew the characters who were in front of the cameras. Karin was one of the reporters closest to Ayrton Senna and his family, to the point of even having spent a few days in Angra with them. She learned our language because of that,” she continued.
In the post, names like driver Rubens Barrichello, photographer Keith Sutton, and fellow journalist Ann Bradshaw left their messages.
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View this photo on InstagramA post shared by Mariana Gertum Becker (@oficialmarianabecker)
