May 1st will mark the thirtieth anniversary of the death of Ayrton Senna, the great Brazilian racing driver, multiple world champion, who died in 1994 in a tragic accident at the Imola circuit, during the San Marino Grand Prix. Senna crashed at high speed into a wall after effectively losing control of the vehicle following the breaking of the steering column in the Tamburello curve. Despite timely help, the wounds to his head were so deep that they left him no escape. The town near Bologna is ready to remember the champion together with Roland Ratzenberger, who also passed away after a fatal crash, with a rich calendar of events entitled ‘Senna 30 years’.
For the occasion, the racetrack will be open to the public from 8am to 6pm. It will start at 9.30am with a walk dedicated to the two drivers; at 1.30pm, Senna will then be commemorated at the Tamburello chicane, followed by a wreath being laid at the Villeneuve curve, in memory of Ratzenberger, with a minute’s silence at 2.17pm. Always remembering Roland, a documentary will be screened at 4.30pm. At 4.45pm it will then be the turn of the presentation of Franco Nugnes’ book ‘Senna. The truth”. The ‘Enzo e Dino Ferrari’ racetrack will have the refreshment stands open throughout the day, as well as the Ferris wheel in the central grandstand area.
Numerous photographic exhibitions are also planned. The initiatives in Imola to remember Ayrton Senna do not stop here: the sculptor Stefano Pierotti has donated to the city a large wall panel portraying the face of the Brazilian champion, specially created for the 30 years since his passing. The exhibition set up in the Salannunziata, entitled “From ‘Ayrton Senna’ to the ‘Iron pictures’ – Stefano Pierotti: memory and the horizon”, curated by Vinicio Dall’Ara, who retraces the memory to starting from the monument located in the Mineral Water Park, it is placed in the horizon of the most recent artistic production of the sculptor from Pietrasanta. Ayrton Senna represents one of the most unforgettable Formula 1 champions. Lucio Dalla also wanted to dedicate one of his songs to him. An affair that led to a profound review of safety regulations during races.