San Marino Grand Prix – 1994

As was the case with all other races in the season up until then, Ayrton Senna started in pole position, beside Michael Schumacher (Benetton). But the atmosphere wasn’t that of celebration.

In the morning, during the habitual drivers briefing, Ayrton Senna heavily criticized the racetrack. He was bothered by the absence of Rubinho Barrichello, who had been involved in a bad accident that Friday, and still shocked at the crash which killed Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger (Simtek), during qualifying sessions that Saturday.

Ayrton Senna started well, taking the lead and maintaining a healthy distance from Michael Schumacher.

At the start of the sixth lap Ayrton’s car went straight off at Tamburello Corner. The Brazilian tried to turn the car in the final moments before hitting the wall but there was no escape. The car hit the wall and with the impact the front suspension of his car came back and hit him on the head. The car bounced back towards the track, throwing wreckage into the air, and slid to a halt beside the circuit. The doctors fought to save Senna’s life and he was rushed by helicopter to Bologna. But from early on it was clear that there was no hope. Ayrton Senna died that evening.

The race was interrupted and restarted with 51 laps remaining. Michael Schumacher was the winner, Nicola Larini (Ferrari) in second and Mika Hakkinen (McLaren) in third.