F1 News
F1 remembers Ratzenberger: A death never forgotten, but overshadowed by Senna
Despite now turning 27 years old, the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix weekend will never be forgotten. It was perhaps one of Formula 1's darkest moments when two drivers lost their lives within two days of each other in Imola. Roland Ratzenberger died on this day in 1994 during qualifying.
A death always remembered but overshadowed by three-time World Champion Ayrton Senna who died during the Grand Prix the following day. Ratzenberger, aged 33, went off at the chicane of Acqua Minerale and damaged his front wing.
But the Austrian Simtek driver continuing pushing for the final spot on the grid. During the straight before the Villeneuve Corner, Ratzenberger's front wing snapped off and went underneath his car preventing him from turning. He hit the wall at approximately 195.7 mph and died from the injuries he sustained.
Sadly a short F1 career
The race weekend in Imola was Ratzenberger's third involvement in a Grand Prix weekend, all coming during the 1994 season. He failed to qualify for the season opener in Brazil. One week later in the Pacific Grand Prix, he started 26th on the grid. He finished 11th but was the last car to cross the chequered flag after 15 retirements.
But Ratzenberger had plenty of success in the build-up to his F1 career. He won the second class of the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1993 and also won a race in the Formula 3000 Championship. In that championship, he finished seventh in 1992.
The aftermath
Bernie Ecclestone managed to persuade the Simtek team to race the following day. His grid spot remained empty at the start line in memory. The fastest non-qualifier, Paul Belmondo, was offered a place on the grid but he refused out of respect for the driver who lost his life the day before.
Sid Watkins, known as the man who introduced many additional safety aspects to the sport, tried to tell Senna not to race in the San Marino Grand Prix. The Brazilian didn't want to stop racing, so continued. Senna sadly crashed and died.
An Austrian flag was found in the wreckage of Senna's car. He had planned to wave the flag in memory of Ratzenberger at the conclusion of the race.
CNN reported that "an estimated three million people flocked to the streets of Sao Paulo for Senna's funeral, about 250 people were in Salzburg as Ratzenberger was laid to rest."
Despite his death being overshadowed, Ratzenberger has never been forgotten by the world of Formula 1.