20 years ago, the world lost a racing great. Immortalised in the hearts and minds of F1 fans
The Imola circuit where Ayrton Senna died 20 years ago today is to hold four days of tributes to the Brazilian. The three-time world champion died aged 34 when his Williams crashed during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Tributes will begin with a parade on Thursday to remember both Senna and Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger, who died in qualifying on the same track a day earlier. Play media
David Coulthard on Ayrton Senna Current and past F1 drivers will pay their respects to the pair. BBC F1 commentator James Allen will report from the circuit as part of Radio 5 live programme, Ayrton Senna - 20 Years On, set to air at 19:30 BST on Thursday. Over the course of the four days there will be exhibitions, films and talks about Senna, as well as a conference to discuss the evolution of safety in Formula 1. The circuit is open to the public, who will be able to participate in a variety of races including a Senna memorial kart race on Friday, while children will be able to race electric karts and pedal cars in the paddock. There will also be a memorial football match in Imola, a charity dinner, and parades of Formula 1 and GT sport cars.
http://youtu.be/Tpp7OCngXQM
Ayrton Senna must rank as one of the most revered sportspeople of all time. The mercurial Brazilian gave himself a permanent place in sporting folklore after an unforgettable decade in Formula One, that ended so tragically 20 years ago when he died following a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix. Senna's rise to the top will be remembered by millions of fans, while the recent film about his life brought an incredible story to a wider audience.