Sebastian Vettel honored Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at Imola, describing it as “one of the strongest emotions” he has felt while driving. The tribute highlighted their enduring legacy in Formula 1.
Vettel described his tribute demonstration to Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at Imola as “one of the strongest emotions I’ve felt behind the wheel” of an F1 car.
Senna and Ratzenberger were tragically killed 30 years ago during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, in what is considered the darkest weekend in F1 history.
Four-time world champion Vettel returned to the F1 paddock at Imola to pay tribute to Senna, organizing a run on Thursday with F1, F2, and F3 drivers wearing “Forever” t-shirts in the Brazilian’s iconic colors.
Vettel then drove Senna’s last McLaren, a 1993 MP4/8 he owns, for honorary laps on Sunday before the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, honoring Senna and Ratzenberger by waving the Brazilian and Austrian flags.
Vettel was teary-eyed when he got out of the car and admitted he was overwhelmed by the emotion of the occasion.
“It’s hard to put into words – it was one of the strongest emotions I’ve felt behind the wheel even though I was alone on the track and not even racing. Incredible.”
“When I waved the flags, it was so powerful. We had a very strong and emotional moment on Thursday when we ran on the track and another today.”
“It’s overwhelming and I’m glad I had the courage to follow through with my idea, to step up and invite the Senna family to share this. We received only positive feedback, and it felt like the right thing to do.”
“Ayrton is a driver to be remembered, but we must ensure we do so actively. That weekend also saw Roland lose his life, two drivers who are in some way my colleagues but whom I never had the chance to meet. It means much more than just racing.”
When asked how special it was to wave the Austrian flag, something Senna had planned to do before his tragic accident, Vettel responded, “Exactly. Obviously, the Brazilian flag was clear because it was something he did after races, but I know the story of the Austrian flag in his pocket.”
“I wondered if it was the right thing to do, to finish the job, but I don’t think it will ever be finished and it’s not about finishing it. But again, I was trying to remind people of all this and it was very special when I waved both flags.”
“It was a very special and meaningful weekend for me, sharing that with the people in the stands as there were also many Brazilian flags there.”
“It was important to do this for those who weren’t there because they weren’t born or don’t know the history. I think it’s such a powerful story.”
“Yes, Ayrton was an incredible talent and one of the best racing drivers we’ve ever seen. But he was also an amazing man who stood for important causes in his home country, trying to fight poverty. He was simply compassionate and had a soul, and that’s why I think it’s, again, very important to remember him.”
Vettel Reveals Reasons Behind His Tribute to Ayrton Senna. Vettel Reveals Reasons Behind His Tribute to Ayrton Senna
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