F1 pauses to remember Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at Emilia Romagna GP

Thursday was media day for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with the paddock packed with journalists and reporters and the hospitality space transformed into a press conference hall. Imola will soon be alive with the sound of turbocharged engines powering drivers around the historic track.

But before that happens today, the F1 world took a moment to pause and reflect.

This week marks the 30th anniversary of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, held at the historic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, also known as Imola. That weekend saw two tragedies that still plague the sport. Roland Ratzenberger died in an accident during qualifying, and Ayrton Senna died in a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix.

Tributes to both drivers have been pouring in in recent weeks in the motorsport world, with this mural honoring Senna being unveiled at the Miami Grand Prix a few weeks ago.

The paddock took to the track at Imola on Thursday to honor both drivers at an event organized by another legend of the sport, Sebastian Vettel.

After these photos, many people joined us on a trip around the circuit, including drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc.

Photo credit: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

Drivers also stopped in front of a banner honoring Ratzenberger and flashed their Austrian wristbands to pay their respects to the Austrian driver.

Photo by Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images

At Thursday’s FIA press conference, Pierre Gasly spoke about Ratzenberger and Senna.

“I always respected [Senna] Since childhood. In France, I grew up hearing a lot about Alain Prost, the most successful French F1 driver of all time. And obviously Alain always had the name Ayrton. I’ve watched a lot of documentaries and this is probably the most iconic fight in F1 history for me. I have always admired not only his racing style but also his character, his values ​​and his concern for the community,” Gasly said at Thursday’s FIA press conference. “And you know, he’s one of the greatest champions of our sport, and I think it was important for me to honor one of the greatest champions, especially this year, 30 years after the incident. “forever. ”

Alpine driver Gasly unveiled a tribute helmet late last week in honor of the legend, and is one of many players set to pay tribute to Senna this weekend.

Other tributes are also planned, including a decal from Ferrari honoring Senna that will be placed on the SF-24 this weekend.

And this sticker on Visa Cash App RB F1 Team’s RB01:

Photo credit: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

In the end, the power units will be fully operational and 20 of the world’s best drivers will take on the tricky Imola circuit. But on Thursday, the grid paused to remember two legends of the sport.