The 30th anniversary of the death of three-time Brazilian Formula 1 champion Ayrton Senna was commemorated on Wednesday with a memorial at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari track in Imola, Italy, where he was involved in an accident during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
A minute of silence was held at the same time as Senna’s death, and flowers were placed at Tamburello Corner, the site of the accident that claimed the life of the famous driver at the age of 34. The memory of Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger, who died one day before Senna during qualifying, was also commemorated. Flowers were placed in the corner of Villeneuve, who witnessed his car crash and Senna was crowned Formula 1 world champion in 1988, 1990 and 1991 with McLaren.
The ceremony was attended by Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, and politicians from Brazil, Italy and Austria.
The track, which will host the Grand Prix on May 19, was open to all fans who wish to commemorate one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, and a documentary, theatrical monologue and photo exhibition were scheduled to be shown as part of Wednesday’s program.
Senna was leading the race when he passed the high-speed Tamburello turn in the seventh language before his car left the racing line at a speed of approximately 307 kilometers per hour, traveling in a straight line off the track and hitting the concrete wall at a speed of 233 km/h.
Approximately kilometers per hour.
Senna received first aid next to his car, but he had already suffered from a large amount of blood loss, and he was airlifted to the hospital and his death was announced that evening.
Senna’s death led to the introduction of many safety improvements at the Imola track and in all Formula 1 races, as shorter straight lines, more space around dangerous turns, and the use of less powerful engines were introduced.
Commemorating the 30th anniversary of Formula 1 champion Ayrton Senna
