Sebastian Vettel delivers stirring tribute to Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger in Imola

Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger had a final moment to pay their respects before lights out in Imola for the F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Throughout this week, the F1 world has paid tribute to the two drivers who tragically lost their lives at Imola during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix 30 years ago.

The final tribute was perhaps the most powerful as Sebastian Vettel powered Senna’s 1993 McLaren MP4/8 around the historic circuit wearing a tribute helmet honoring both drivers.

The four-time F1 drivers’ champion then drove the legendary McLaren around Imola, with Vettel hoisting the Brazilian and Austrian flags high in the final stages, controlling the MP4/8 with one hand. other:

Considering the events of 1994, this gesture is quite powerful. After Ratzenberger’s crash during qualifying for the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, Senna was visibly shaken and F1’s head of medical team Sid Watkins persuaded the three-time champion: I tried. Stay away from sports.

“Sid, there are things we can’t do. We can’t stop, we have to keep going,” the Brazilian driver replied.

The next day, Senna got into his car to compete in the 1994 Imola Grand Prix, but crashed into a barrier and tragically lost his life. Medical personnel, including Watkins, responded quickly to the accident, but the injuries sustained by Senna on impact were fatal.

Senna intended to honor Ratzenberger after the race, so his car had an Austrian flag.

At the end of the lap, Vettel got out of his MP4/8 and held both flags up for everyone to see.

He then placed both flags on the MP4/8 and bowed before it.

“It’s an unbelievable moment. Thirty years ago when this horrible weekend happened, it was obviously a very dark moment. So to come here 30 years later and drive Ayrton’s car and not only Ayrton but Roland’s It’s true that I remember that and feel very emotional,” Vettel told Lawrence Barrett after the lap.

This wasn’t the only compliment Vettel paid this weekend. On Thursday, the former champion led the grid around the circuit and paid tribute to both Ratzenberger and Senna. The words of remembrance concluded at the Senna memorial statue at the historic circuit.

Photo credit: James Sutton – Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images

You can watch Vettel’s entire lap here.

Soon the power unit will emit a roar and the race will begin. But once again, the sport paused to remember two legends, and a third living legend took the lead in mourning.