May 1 is the 30th anniversary of the tragic accident of the Brazilian Ayrton Senna da Silva. One of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1 died on May 1, 1994 at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari track in Imola, Italy. He was 34 years old.
Ayrton Senna /augenklick/firo Sportphoto /PAP/DPA
There was an atmosphere of shock and disbelief throughout the motorsport world when BBC presenter Murray Walker announced: “Racing driver Ayrton Senna died at the San Marino Grand Prix.”
This took place just a few hours following the tragic accident. The three-time world champion was rescued from the wreck of the Williams team car. In a state of clinical death, he was taken to the Maggiore clinic in Bologna. Doctors found extensive skull injuries and, following several hours of artificial life support, complete loss of brain function. After consultations with the family, the medical equipment was turned off.
Senna led the race for the first few laps, but at one point his car hit the barrier surrounding the track at the Tamburello corner. The Brazilian lost control of a vehicle traveling at a speed exceeding 230 km/h.
“It was as if we were watching the crucifixion of Jesus live,” said then Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.
After this accident, the race was interrupted for over an hour. At that time, the organizers decided that instead of the planned 61 laps, the drivers would complete 53 laps.
“When we saw this accident on the monitors in our studio, there was absolute silence. For a long time I mightn’t say a word. Everyone was extremely shocked. Even today, the memories of that day still make me feel unpleasant,” recalled Henry Hope-Frost. who broadcast the race in the Canal+ television studio.
This was not the only tragic news from the Italian track at that time. The day before, 33-year-old Austrian Roland Ratzenberger lost his life in qualifying, and Senna’s compatriot Rubens Barrichello was hospitalized during training. There were no serious injuries, but the Brazilian did not start the race.
“Just today, when Roland had an accident, I realized how often we balance on the verge of life and death. Now, for the first time, I noticed that I was shaking all over while sitting in the car. I was looking at the monitor when they started to pull Ratzenberger out of the car. When I saw what it all looked like, I knew it was very bad,” said Senna, who was also advised to stop racing in Formula 1, a day before his death.
The Brazilian, who won pole position on Saturday, did not return to the track until the end of the qualifying session following Ratzenberger’s accident and went to the hotel during it.
“He didn’t want to talk to anyone, he even ordered dinner in his room. He left it only in the morning and went down for breakfast. Even on Sunday, during preparations for the race, he was clearly depressed due to those accidents,” his teammate, Briton Damon, later recalled. Hill.
Three years following Senna’s death, a monument was unveiled near the Tamburello corner, in the presence of the Brazilian ambassador, under which fans laid flowers and lit candles.
“Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna did not lose their lives in vain. The sport reacted following their deaths and changed many things to improve safety,” said current F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
Senna, born on March 21, 1960 in Sao Paulo, started 161 Formula 1 Grand Prix races for four different teams: Toleman (in 1984), Lotus (1985-87), McLaren (1988-93) and Williams (1994). ).
He made his F1 debut in his home country, but did not finish this competition. He won his first victory in Portugal in 1985, and his last victory in Australia eight years later.
In total, he stood on the top step of the podium 41 times. For a long time he was the record holder in terms of the number of pole positions won – he had 65 of them. His result was bettered only in 2006 by German Michael Schumacher.
There has been Ayrton Senna Street in Wałbrzych since 2015, where a monument to the outstanding driver was erected three years ago. The Museum of Mining and Motor Sports is also located there. Behind all these initiatives is Jerzy Mazur, the first Polish driver who in 1988 – driving a Star 266 – completed the rally from Paris to Dakar.
