Senna Cleared by DNA Tests in Patrimony Case

DNA tests carried out to determine whether deceased triple World Champion Ayrton Senna was the father of a six year old girl have proved he is not the father, the Brazilian press reported yesterday.

The tests, carried out independently by four laboratories in four Brazilian cities, have shown that he is not the father of former model Edilaine de Barros' child, Victoria, who was born just after Senna's death in 1994. The results were presented to the Family Court in Brazil.

A spokesperson for the Ayrton Senna Foundation, an organization to help underprivileged children run by Ayrton's sister Viviane, confirmed the test results to AFP, but wouldn't comment further.

"Viviane Senna will not give a press conference on the subject until she has the authorization from the presiding judge in this affair," the spokesperson said.

"No authorization to comment has been given to both families," she added.

The DNA tests were carried out because of de Barros' demands, after the Senna family denied that Victoria was Ayrton's daughter. de Barros said that she had sought an agreement at the time of Victoria's birth, but the Senna family's negative attitude, just a few weeks after Ayrton's death, forced de Barros to abandon her efforts.

Two years ago, de Barros joined a new religion. Leaders of the religion persuaded her to sue the Senna family over the matter, if not for financial rewards, then for the right of her daughter to use the Senna name.