'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Sebastian Vettel paid tribute to two of the most iconic drivers in Formula 1 history, Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger, ahead of the 2024 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna. The four-time F1 world champion drove Senna's McLaren MP4/8 race car from the 1993 season around the legendary circuit in Imola, Italy.
The demonstration was held at Emilia-Romagna racetrack for a reason. For those who are unaware, Both Senna and Ratzenberger lost their lives in separate accidents at the Imola GP 30 years ago. Vettel used the occasion to pay his respects to the drivers he admired. Also, the MP4/8 race car, chosen for the special occasion, was the same one Senna won his last race in.
The sight of Vettel in Senna’s car, touring the circuit and waving to fans, was a reminder of the Brazilian’s incredible talent and enduring legacy. The German quadruple world champion held up Brazilian and Austrian flags before parking on the start/finish straight doing some donuts.
In a moving gesture, Vettel jumped out of the car, went down on his knees, and bowed down to the car, as a sign of respect for Senna and Ratzenberger. To recall, this move was similar to the one Vettel made at the Indian Grand Prix in 2013, after securing his fourth world title.
This gesture by the retired F1 champion went viral after a Charles Leclerc fan account on X posted a video.
Check out the video below:
A brief overview of Ayrton Senna's path to becoming one of F1's greatest driver
Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1960, Ayrton Senna began his racing career with local karting titles at the age of 13, eventually winning the South American Karting Championship in 1977.
As a teenager, Senna moved to Europe to compete in the European karting scene, earning the respect of experienced drivers such as Terry Fullerton. He then moved to single-seaters, winning Formula Ford 1600, British and European Formula Ford 2000, and British Formula 3 titles through the 1980s.
Senna started his F1 stint with Toleman Motorsport, gradually moving up to established teams such as Lotus and McLaren. In 1988, the Brazilian driver hit new heights in his maiden season with McLaren and claimed his first world championship. After this, he went ahead to win two more titles in 1990 and 1991.
For the 1994 season, Senna moved to the Williams F1 team. Tragically, at the San Marino Grand Prix on May 1, 1994, the legendary triple-world champion lost his life, when he ran off the track and hit the wall at the exit of the Tamburello corner.
Senna recorded a total of 41 wins and 80 podiums from 161 starts during his storied F1 career and continues to serve as an inspiration for countless drivers in the sport today.
