Ayrton Senna, the three times Formula 1 champion, was one of the most influential racers of all time. The Brazilian driver lost his life in an unfortunate car accident at Imola. He came into the Tamburello corner at high speed, could not control the turn on the car, and hit the concrete wall at 145 mph.

It was one of the most tragic weekends F1 has endured. Rubens Barrichello had a scary accident during qualifying, Roland Ratzenberger lost his life due to an accident during quali as well, and Ayrton Senna lost his life on the track during the actual race.

The racing god, Ayrton Senna, would have turned 61 on March 21, 2021. As the world remembers the glory he brought to the sport, his physiotherapist, Jo Leberer, takes us down memory lane about Senna‘s reaction after Roland’s deadly accident.

The Austrian rookie lost his life a day earlier during the qualifying session. His front wing broke entering the Villeneuve corner. As a result, he lost control of his car and slammed it into the concrete wall, just like Ayrton.

“Ayrton drove out to the scene of the accident with a marshal and talked to Sid Watkins, the racing doctor at the time. When he came back, he said to me: ‘Roland is dead.’ Ayrton was extremely tense at the moment, really taken with him.

“He was also terribly annoyed that the local people had sent him away on the grounds that he had no business there. I’ve never seen him so angry that he says: ‘We are risking our lives and they want to tell me what is dangerous,'” recalled Jo Leberer.

Why did F1 Ban Refueling?

Ayrton Senna shocked Barrichello with a visit after his accident

There was another accident that qualifying afternoon at Imola. Rubens Barrichello was involved in a serious accident during the qualifying session that very weekend at Imola. After a few injuries, he withdrew from the event.

“These memories are not easy for me, because that was a very special weekend in Imola 20 years ago. Everything started with the crash of Rubens Barrichello (slightly injured; editor).”

Trending

Liam Lawson’s Surprise Contract Clause Threatens Daniel Ricciardo’s RB Seat

April 24, 2024 11:15 AM EDT

F1 Rumor: Adrian Newey to Join Ferrari, Leaving Red Bull Amid Christian Horner-Helmut Marko Fiasco

April 25, 2024 05:55 PM EDT

What Is Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino? Significance of Ferrari’s Historic Change to a Blue Livery for Miami GP

April 24, 2024 04:52 PM EDT

“[Charles] Leclerc Doesn’t Care About Ferrari”: F1 Insider’s Brutal Blow to Fred Vasseur & Co. Has Racing Community Lashing Out

April 24, 2024 05:00 PM EDT

F1 Rumor: Christian Horner and Wife Geri to Publicly Reveal All Details on Leaked Chat Scandal

April 22, 2024 04:10 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

“Ayrton went straight to the medical center and took care of his compatriot. That shocked him,” said Jo.

Senna is one of the most revered motorsport drivers of all time, an inspiration to many. After that tragic weekend, the FIA has consistently worked towards ensuring the safety of racing drivers. They have come a long way and we hope that the F1 community does not have to deal with a weekend like that again.