Vettel to pay tribute to Senna with McLaren MP4/8 run at Imola

Sebastian Vettel will pay a fitting tribute to the great Ayrton Senna later this month at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola when he gets behind the wheel of the late Brazilian’s race winning McLaren MP4/8.

Today, May 1, marks the 30th anniversary of Senna’s tragic passing at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. While his life was cut short far too soon, his charismatic persona, exceptional talent and steely determination left an indelible mark on Formula 1.

Senna’s daring spirit and remarkable achievements on the track continue to captivate and inspire countless individuals, including fellow F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel who took advantage of Wednesday’s commemorations to announce his special return to the track at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

The German driver will be present at Imola to pay his respects to the driver he deeply admires.

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Ayrton Senna: Top 10 moments that defined an F1 Legend

Taking the wheel of Senna's 1993 championship-contending McLaren MP4/8 signifies a profound gesture of respect and a chance to reconnect with the legacy of a true racing legend.

“Ayrton Senna was not only a driver who I valued highly for being one of the best racing has ever seen, but also a man of great compassion,” said Vettel. “It’s been 30 years since his accident and I would like to pay tribute to Ayrton.

“I will be in Imola for the Grand Prix to drive his car, the McLaren MP4/8. I hope to see you on Sunday, May 19.”

While Vettel officially hung up his F1 helmet at the end of 2022, his popularity among fans remains undiminished.

Following a recent endurance test with Porsche, the 36-year-old German driver has acknowledged the potential allure of returning to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Porsche has hinted at the possibility of including Vettel in its driver-line-up for next month’s Le Mans 24 Hours event.

“It was great to work with him and see how he joined the team,” commented Porsche Motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach. “Very positive, but we have not decided anything about what is to come. We are talking about it.”

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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.