The death of Ayrton Senna: May 1, 1994

Ayrton Senna at the peak of his glory: The 1991 Monaco Grand-Prix. Those tunnel runs... and the way he blocked that bothersome Mansell

It would be probably the saddest Sunday in my life. And at the time, I was too young to know.

Disregarding Schumacher's pre-fab victories, Ayrton Senna was the greatest driver to compete in the F1 championship.

A devil hell-bent for victory in the track but a modest person in his life outside, Ayrton Senna inspired more people than any other driver in motorised sports.

And on that fateful Sunday, 1 May 1994, as Senna's Williams-Renault entered the Tamburello turn at the Imola track of San Marino disaster struck.
And Ayrton Senna was no more.

It was later that day that I heard of the official announcement of his death. Even today, I cannot find the words to describe that emptiness, from the death of an adolescence hero, even though at that day I had only driven a go-cart a couple of times.

Later that year I was furious that Robertio Baggio lost that penalty kick and handed Brazil the 1994 World Cup.

But then, the Brazilians stoud silent in the field and unfurled the banner : "Senna aceleramos juntos, o Tetra é nosso" and all fell into place. In a way, I could say "Grazie, Roberto...".

Some people are meant to accelerate together...

Rest in peace Ayrton. Your memory will never die.


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