Senna-Ratzenberger memorial marks 30 years since Imola 1994

Formula 1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali was joined by hundreds of fans, politicians from Brazil, Austria and recalling Senna and fellow Formula 1 driver Roland Ratzenberger, who died a day earlier during qualifying, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Wednesday

At 2:17 p.m. (1217 GMT), a minute of silence was held and flowers were laid down at Tamburello curve to observe the exact time and place that the 34-year-old Senna crashed into a concrete wall at about 300 kph (185 mph).

Then flowers were also laid down at the Variant Villeneuve only slightly further down the track where the 33-year-old Ratzenberger crashed.

Senna, who won F1 titles in 1988, 1990 and 1991, was leading the race for Williams at Imola when he crashed. Ratzenberger was an F1 rookie from Austria trying to Qualify for his second Grand Prix. The Brazilian was a tri-World Champion.

“They are part of sports history and history in general for what they represented,” Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.

The attention around Senna’s death brought about safety improvements at the Imola track and throughout F1, resulting in shorter straights, more room around dangerous turns and less powerful engines.

Reuters reports that motor racing fans and politicians gathered to honour Senna, fans carrying the Brazilian flag walked along the track before the minute's.

"Senna was a very important person for all Brazilians, a very humble person, very dedicated with great values who taught us great lessons" said Renata Ewbank, a Senna fan from Brazil. "And we still miss him deeply today."

Fans also remembered Ratzenberger. The deadly weekend in 1994 triggered a major safety review, changing the sport forever.

Bruno Senna, nephew of the champion and a former F1 driver, was among the crowd, along with Ratzenberger's parents. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, as well as his Brazilian and Austrian counterparts Mauro Vieira and Alexander Schallenberg also attended the ceremony at the circuit.

Floral tributes were laid at Tamburello after the minute's silence, with fans and security personnel breaking into applause. Scarves, flowers and candles were also placed on a statue of Senna at Imola.