Tuesday June 13th, 2000

Lawyers of former model Edilaine de Barros have asked that DNA tests be postponed they hope will prove triple World Champion Ayrton Senna is the father of her daughter Victoria.

The postponement was called after Edilaine and Victoria's DNA expert was seriously injured in a car crash and hospitalized.

Three experts are usually required in such cases; one each for the prosecutor and defendant and a third appointed by the judge.

The judge asked the three experts to obtain hair and saliva samples from both of Senna's parents, and de Barros' daughter Victoria, in an attempt to determine whether Senna is the father of the child.

De Barros, formerly known by the stage name of Marcella Praddo, said she originally sought an agreement with the Senna family at the time of her daughter's birth. This was only a few weeks after Senna's death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, and De Barros abandoned her efforts due to the Senna family's negative attitude.

Two years ago, de Barros took up a new religion. Since then, she has been persuaded by leaders within the religion to sue over the matter, if not for financial gain then for her daughter's right to the Senna name.