Imola (Italy): Thousands of Formula One fans gathered for a commemoration on Thursday at the Imola circuit — 20 years to the day after Brazilian champion Ayrton Senna was killed here in the sport’s darkest day.
Dozens of enthusiasts drove their own cars around the Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit to mark the tragic anniversary of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen attended the ceremony later on Thursday for the man seen as one of the greatest drivers of all time.
“Our hearts sank when they told us the news,” said Marco, a 31-year-old Italian Formula One fan who was at Imola as a young boy on the day of the crash. Marco wore the same type of helmet that Senna had on that day and was taking his car around the circuit.
Daniela, 39, from Belo Horizonte in Brazil said: “What moves me about Senna was his humility, his enormous charisma. He is in our hearts like family”. Another Brazilian fan, 57-year-old Renato said: “His will to win was what I liked about Ayrton."
“He proved that a Brazilian could be internationally known and that was a great encouragement for us.” Marco, 34, who wore a chequered flag around his shoulders, said simply: “He was the best driver ever.”
A Catholic priest led a memorial service on Wednesday at the Tamburello corner where the triple world champion’s Williams careered off into a concrete barrier on lap seven at 190mph (307km/h). He was airlifted to Bologna hospital but was pronounced dead at 18:40 local time on that ill-fated Sunday. Thursday’s ceremony comes after a week of commemorative events held to mark the tragic accident, which ushered in a raft of changes to improve F1 safety.
