As the rain has not become. 31 years ago tragically died Irton Senna

On May 1, 1994, Formula 1 lost not just her champion – she lost the soul of the era. Ayrton Senna, for many-the most prominent racer in the history of motor vehicles, died during the San Marino Grand Prix. This day has forever changed the attitude to the security in the races, and the name of Senna turned into a symbol not only of sports skills, but also of deep human devotion. More than thirty years have passed, but the memories of that terrible tragedy in Imola are still hurting.

His principle of “second place is the defeat” became a life credo and an indicator of an approach to the fight on the track. But on May 1, 1994, this path broke off – and with it the whole era ended in the history of vehicles.

Transition to Williams and fatal season

In 1994, Senna left Mclaren after six bright seasons and joined Williams, a team that just dominated the championship. Despite the status of the favorite, its new season began dramatic. In Brazil, Ayrton took the pole, the lead, but he was mistaken when he tried to regain his position in the fight against Michael Schumacher, and went down. In the next race in Japan, he started first, but flew out of the track after contact at the start. Two stages – and no points.

The third race of the season-San Marino Grand Prix-turned into a real nightmare for Formula-1. On Friday, a serious accident was suffered by Rubens Barikello, who, after a failed arrival in a turn, flew into the air. Although the injuries were not deadly, the blow looked awful. The next day, the more terrible tragedy happened with Austrian Roland Ratzenberger: its car at a speed of more than 300 km/h lost its rear target, and the pilot crashed into the wall. Death came almost instantly. Formula-1 lost the racer for the first time in 12 years.

Senna was stunned. He initiated a meeting of pilots to discuss security, which looked deeply excited and confused. Eyewitnesses later mentioned: Ayrton seemed to feel something.

On Sunday, Senna started again from Polo. However, on the seventh circle, its car flew out of the highway in the Tamburello turn and crashed into the concrete wall. The blow came at an angle, the car flew into pieces. Senna was urgently evacuated by a helicopter to a hospital in Bologna, but brain damage was incompatible with life.

Later it became known that under the racing overalls, Senna had an Austrian flag with him. He planned to lift it after the finish line – in honor of Ratzenberger.

National loss

The news of Senna’s death stirred the whole world. In Brazil, a three-day mourning was announced, and millions of San Paulo gathered for the funeral. Formula-1 has changed forever: Irton’s death has become a painful but turning point for sports safety.

Senna remained not only the champion, but also a symbol of emotions, courage and devotion. A person who tried to change the formula-1-and eventually the cost of his own life really changed it.