Race and classic pictures

F1 and Vettel pay tribute at Imola to Senna and Ratzenberger

©Formula1

The Formula 1 community and its drivers came together on the grid on Thursday afternoon at Imola to pay a heartfelt tribute to the sport’s fallen heroes, Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, to mark the 30th anniversary of their passing.

The commemorative event was held at the behest of four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel and was followed by a track run of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

The tribute run was also organized by Vettel who handed out yellow Senna-themed T-shirts to F1’s class of 2023, with each shirt emblazoned with each driver’s race number.

After the run, Vettel walked out to Tamburello to visit the bronze statue of the great Brazilian driver overlooking the track near the very spot where he met his fate on May 1, 1994.

On Sunday, ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Vettel will take to the track to offer fans a few laps onboard Senna’s race winning McLaren Mp4/8.

Here is a gallery of pictures depicting today’s emotional tribute to Senna and Ratzenberger, whose daring spirits continue to live on in the collective memory of F1 fans around the world.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Rosberg lifts lid on Mercedes civil war with Hamilton

Nico Rosberg has once again pulled back the curtain on one of Formula 1’s most…

50 minutes ago

Formula 1 has a new ‘most marketable’ driver as Hamilton falls

Formula 1 has a new marketability king, and the honour comes once again with a…

2 hours ago

A shock pole for Canadian rain man Lance Stroll

For all the criticism lobbed at Lance Stroll during his F1 career, and especially this…

4 hours ago

Grosjean pivots to sportscars as IndyCar options dry up

After twenty-three years of threading open-wheel cockpits through the world’s fastest corners, Romain Grosjean is…

5 hours ago

Wolff gives Mercedes staff freedom to skip F1's Middle East races

Toto Wolff is backing Formula 1's decision to press ahead with its Middle East commitments,…

6 hours ago

Daily Mail reporter’s F1 ban sparks extraordinary attack on Vasseur

Veteran F1 journalist Jonathan McEvoy has discovered that a long career covering Formula 1 does…

7 hours ago