Imola 1994

I may have been too young to understand what a huge impact this weekend had on not only the motorsport community but the world as a whole, to a certain extent i think it still exists today, i think it always will do.
Most people regard Imola 1994 to be the darkest weekend of motorsport ever. The weekend was a disaster from the start.

Friday 29th April 1994, practise: Rubens Barichello was involved in a high speed crash, hospitalised but with no major life-threatening injuries it was nothing short of a miracle he is still with us today.
This was just the start of the dark weekend...

Saturday 30th April 1994, qualifying: Roland Ratzenberger was involved in a fatal crash involving no other cars. Roland was a lovely guy, much loved by the paddock. Sitting lifeless in his cock pit it was a devastating reminder of the dangers of motorsport, after a relatively long break (1982-1994) from the last Formula 1 fatality. The spirit of the paddock didn't exist, it was replaced with sadness, heavy hearts and tears at the loss of a great racer. Roland's death particularly effected good friend Ayrton Senna, who was torn to pieces at the death of his fellow racer.
Senna was a racing driver though like all the other drivers, giving up was not an option, he still wanted to race despite not having a clear state of mind.

Sunday 1st May 1994, race day: While the fans and the paddock were still coming to terms with Ratzenberger's death, the race was still going ahead.
Imola 1994 came to a tragic end, Brazilian racer Ayrton Senna crashed. It was the last time the world saw him race, Ayrton like Roland died what he loved doing in a place that was his second home - his Formula 1 car.
Senna was idolised, not only in Brazil but across the world, he was a true racer, living and breathing the sport. For him, there was no option to quit the only option was to race and win, after all 'being second is to be the first of the one's who lose.' His death (along with Roland's) left a huge hole in the motorsport world.

From the film 'Senna' every time i watch the part of the Imola 1994 i get a lump in my throat, sitting in silence, you feel the pain, the emotions. From a fans point of view, i was only a young child in 1994 but in a very warped way i feel blessed, not about the death's of Roland or Ayrton but the fact Formula 1 now is a lot safer, and as the motorsport community has seen in recent months, Formula 1 has become one of the 'safer' motoring events, Ayrton's the last life to be lost at the wheel of an F1 car. 18 years on and we've been lucky not to experience a life lost in F1, something i think Formula 1 should take a lot pride in, here's to another 18 years!

Imola '94, is a weekend many fans (friend's family and F1 people) will always remember, the world lost two great racers that weekend, along with every driver that died before them, i hope they are Racing In Paradise, no rest for the wicked after all!

Legends are never forgotten ♥

** I'm sure everyone has an image in their head when you think of your favourite driver, or a legendary driver etc for me it is this particular image. I think it captures Ayrton best; no matter in or out of the car, racing was always at the front of his mind, he wanted to improve, know everything and anything worth knowing. His iconic helmet and championship winning overalls, McLaren car in the distance, with a focused face. I can't explain just how much i love this and always will.