14 Years Later // Still A Legend

This day in 1994, the racing world lost a great. Ayrton Senna, three time Formula One champion, lost control of his Williams-Renault at the San Marino Grand Prix, at Imola, hitting the wall at over 135mph. The cause of death is still somewhat unknown, but speculations have centered on the front wheel, which is believed to have come over the top of the car at impact, striking Senna's helmet. Massive skull fractures and severe damage to Senna's helmet have been the proposed cause of death, but much is still uncertain. Ayrton Senna lived through the most dangerous game one can play, mid 80's F-1. Little to no protection was in place during Senna's early years in F-1, and by the time of his death in '94, little had changed. During a practice session the day before his fatal crash, Austrian Roland Ratzenberger was killed in a practice accident. Determined to be at the forefront of driver safety changes, Senna had volunteered to lead the movement amongst drivers. When pulled from the wreckage, Ayrton Senna's body was airlifted to Bologna Hospital where he was to be declared dead. After sorting through what was left of the car, workers found a folded Austrian flag, a victory flag, Senna intended on waiving in memory of Ratzenberger. 1994 marks the last death of a Formula One driver behind the wheel, and today’s cars are an obvious achievements of what Senna intended on seeing through, driver safety.