20 years tomorrow, F1 changed forever, the events of the 3rd round of the F1 calender in 1994 at the San Marino GP circuit in Imola, The weekend started well, until the first qualifying session on friday when Jordens, Rubens Barrichello hit a kerb at the Variante Bassa corner at 140mph, launching him into the air. He hit the top of the tyre barrier, and was knocked unconscious. His car rolled several times after landing before coming to rest upside down. This was just the start of the tragic events that were to follow.

 

On Saturdays qualifying twenty minutes into the final session, Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger failed to negotiate the Villeneuve curva in his Simtek, he subsequently hit the concrete barrier wall almost head-on and was critically injured. Ratzenberger, in his first season as a Formula One driver, had run over a kerb at the Acque Minerali chicane on his previous lap, the impact of which is believed to have damaged his front wing. Rather than return to the pit-lane, he continued on another lap. Travelling at 190mph his car suffered a front wing failure leaving him unable to control it. Having been flown to hospital from the on track medical centre, It was later announced that Ratzenberger had died as a result of his multiple injuries. His death was the first Formula One race weekend fatality since the 1982 Canadian Grand Prix when Riccardo Paletti was killed. Unfortunately his death would be over shadowed on the following day.

 

 

 

The race, despite the tragic events of the following 2 days, went ahead. Aryton senna had qualified on pole position, ahead of championship leader Michael Schumacher. Gerhard Berger qualified in 3rd, and Senna's team-mate Damon Hill started from fourth position, At the start of the race, J.J. Lehto stalled his Benetton on the grid. Pedro Lamy, starting from further back on the grid, had his view of the stationary Benetton blocked by other cars and hit the back of Lehto's car. The incident caused the safety car to be deployed, with all the remaining drivers holding position behind it. At the drivers' briefing before the race, Senna, along with Gerhard Berger, had expressed concern that the safety car did not go fast enough to keep tyre temperatures high.

 

Once the track was reported clear of debris, the safety car was withdrawn and the race restarted with a rolling start. On the second lap after the restart (Lap 6), Senna's car left the road at the Tamburello corner,cleared the run off area and hit the concrete wall, the resulting incident caused parts of the suspension to impact senna's helmet, After 10 minutes of track side treatment, he was air lifted to hospital, Senna succumbed to his injuries and as a result F1 changed forever.

 

 

[video=youtube_share;IRlilIegHbo]

 

R.I.P

Roland Ratzenburger 1960 - 1994

Aryton Senna 1960 - 1994

Edited May 1, 201411 yr by vodkashots

The infamous Imola race of 94, should never have been held. The circuit fell short of the many safety requirements of the day. Barrichello survived his horrendous accident by the grace of his God and the fact he was good to go the following day was astounding. I remember watching the accident and couldn't believe the impact that he took, albeit thankfully into the tyres. the Imola chicane was a half thought and the curbs set to high causing many cars to be launched!

 

Then we had the Ratzenberger accident that we later learned to be as a result of a failed front wing caused during an off across the gravel, although some miserable individuals wanted to place the blame on his driving ability!.

 

The Start accident cased injury amongst nine spectators, one seriously by a flying tyre and debris, but still the race went on.... then Senna!

 

The marshalling of the race was appalling, even during the attempts to save Ayrton, with multiple safety vehicles on the track including a helicopter the Larrousse of Eric Comas was released from the pits (red flagged race) to accelerate at full speed around the Tamberello. only to be urgently flagged down by the Marshalls, his car stopping amongst the various safety vehicles...beggars belief!

 

It was later found out that Ayrton had a long conversation with Cid Watkins (chief Medical doctor) about whether the race or he should go on, Cid said quit and come fishing with me, but Ayrton felt there was still unfinished business for him in F1. When his crashed car was checked over they found an Austrian Flag wrapped up, the speculation being that it was a tribute to Ratzenberger, or he was going to fly it when the race finished, he never got the chance.

 

Both drivers died at the circuit, the Italians have a unwritten law that no driver is certified dead at the circuit (cannot be sued) which is why the notifications came from the hospital, it was always their way to not let it appear that their own emergency services had not been able to respond quick enough, although in these instances there would be nothing they could of done to help either driver.

 

This weekend was the darkest in modern F1 history, perhaps in any period, but there have been many great drivers who have lost their lives in the sport they all loved, some in the most appalling of accidents. But for nothing else F1 changed for the better in at least safety, although I fear that with the current crop of drivers who seem to consider themselves invincible and a design of car that has already shown a peculiar tendency to dive under another car in an accident makes be wonder if the god for bid the writing might be on the wall again.

 

I tip my hat to Senna, Ratzenberger and all the other F1 drivers who have given themselves for the sport they competed in, successfully or otherwise in order that I, and millions of others can continue to watch and enjoy the sport knowing that it is now at least, safer than It ever was.

RIP Arton and Roland :sad: