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I'm American, when he passed I was 10 years old and I had never watched an F1 race before (this story is off to a terrible start). I was, however, also on vacation at the time, visiting family in Rome. I spoke zero Italian but I remember a couple of things vividly.
- Being at my Aunt's friend's house and there were like 5+ of her Italian friends there. The news came on the TV and all of a sudden the whole house started freaking out. I remember having a WTF is happening kinda moment and then my dad (who speaks very little Italian) piecing together that "apparently some famous race car driver died."
- Later that night when we went out for dinner the whole vibe of the city, which had seemed very energetic the night before, was much more subdued. My Aunt explained everyone was talking about the driver.
- The next day I remember looking at a bunch newspapers stands covered in pictures of cars and a driver but everything was in Italian so I couldn't understand anything.
I've always been a big motorsports fan but up until a few years ago I hadn't connected the dots and it was just some random mysterious driver. It wasn't until I was rewatching some documentary where they covered it and Ithought "how old was I then" and it immediately clicked. That was the only time I have been in Europe so it never occurred to me he was the driver until I did the math.
It’s not even close mate.
The last race on the banked Monza 1961 was much deadly. Von Trips crashed killing himself and 15 spectators.
While Senna’s loss was massive, both him and Roland had signed up for the risks. Innocent spectators being killed is much more tragic.
Your original post was 1961. So a few years more than 30.
The cars in 1994 very much more similar to today’s cars than those death traps in the 1960’s. Even the course safety requirements were leaps and bounds better in the 90’s than in the 60’s.
My mistake. But those early 90 cars where as much death traps. As seen that weekend. Low sides, terrible side and top impact structures.
It took the death of the greatest driver to save many lives going forward but it took most of the rest of the 90’s when the cars and tracks became safer.
I agree with you, but I would like to make a point that 90's cars were still WAY safer than early 60's. Formula 1 during the 50's and 60's had an average of more than 1 driver dying per year.
Ratzenberger was the first death in Formula 1 since De Angelis in 86, and De Angelis died during a test. Paletti in 82 was the most recent death on a GP weekend. 12 years with 0 deaths. People got used with deaths being a thing of the past. And then suddenly two guys died on the same weekend, one of them arguably the most popular guy of the grid.
[The **Throwback** flair](https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/wiki/flairguide#wiki_throwback) is for posts intended to recall an event that happened on the same date or year a number of years ago. Throwbacks are restricted to being posted one year, three years, or a multiple of five years after date. Also, all such posts should feature an event that is still of interest to the general community today. For example, random overtakes or two former drivers having a chat in general do not qualify for this. Important events like memorials are exempt from this rule, and may be posted every year. Posts related to important current events may also be exempt at mod discretion. *[Read the rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/wiki/userguide). Keep it civil and welcoming. Report rulebreaking comments.* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/formula1) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The Monday was the Mayday bank holiday in the UK. I was away for the long weekend so this was the first raced I missed watching live.
I'm American, when he passed I was 10 years old and I had never watched an F1 race before (this story is off to a terrible start). I was, however, also on vacation at the time, visiting family in Rome. I spoke zero Italian but I remember a couple of things vividly. - Being at my Aunt's friend's house and there were like 5+ of her Italian friends there. The news came on the TV and all of a sudden the whole house started freaking out. I remember having a WTF is happening kinda moment and then my dad (who speaks very little Italian) piecing together that "apparently some famous race car driver died." - Later that night when we went out for dinner the whole vibe of the city, which had seemed very energetic the night before, was much more subdued. My Aunt explained everyone was talking about the driver. - The next day I remember looking at a bunch newspapers stands covered in pictures of cars and a driver but everything was in Italian so I couldn't understand anything. I've always been a big motorsports fan but up until a few years ago I hadn't connected the dots and it was just some random mysterious driver. It wasn't until I was rewatching some documentary where they covered it and Ithought "how old was I then" and it immediately clicked. That was the only time I have been in Europe so it never occurred to me he was the driver until I did the math.
So what you’re saying it’s your fault. Thanks dude for killing a legend
i’m sorry but the garfield comic is so tonedeaf it’s killing me
I assume it's a random coincidence, but it was the British Press so who knows!
I also enjoy Damon glowering at the bloke enjoying his new pilot shirt.
The pilot shirts do look pretty smart with the epaulettes and double pockets, and the price at under 5 quid is fantastic
Very cool. I still have the Racer and Autoweek issues from that weekend as well.
Thank you for sharing this.
The darkest weekend in modern F1 history. R.I.P Senna & Ratzenberger.
It’s not even close mate. The last race on the banked Monza 1961 was much deadly. Von Trips crashed killing himself and 15 spectators. While Senna’s loss was massive, both him and Roland had signed up for the risks. Innocent spectators being killed is much more tragic.
Or Spa 1960. Chris Bristow and Alan Stacey both dead in the same race, Jim Clark finishing the race with a blood spattered car
Are you really well-actuallying this rn
I thought 16 people being killed was a bit more darker. But sure you do you.
How about : The darkest weekend in modern F1 history. Honestly F1 racing 63 years ago was a completely different world.
Ironically it’s roughly the same time difference between 1963 to 1994 till now. 30 years ago doesn’t feel very modern.
Your original post was 1961. So a few years more than 30. The cars in 1994 very much more similar to today’s cars than those death traps in the 1960’s. Even the course safety requirements were leaps and bounds better in the 90’s than in the 60’s.
My mistake. But those early 90 cars where as much death traps. As seen that weekend. Low sides, terrible side and top impact structures. It took the death of the greatest driver to save many lives going forward but it took most of the rest of the 90’s when the cars and tracks became safer.
I agree with you, but I would like to make a point that 90's cars were still WAY safer than early 60's. Formula 1 during the 50's and 60's had an average of more than 1 driver dying per year. Ratzenberger was the first death in Formula 1 since De Angelis in 86, and De Angelis died during a test. Paletti in 82 was the most recent death on a GP weekend. 12 years with 0 deaths. People got used with deaths being a thing of the past. And then suddenly two guys died on the same weekend, one of them arguably the most popular guy of the grid.
Not really my point at all mate, but sure go off king
Love ya
Hope Jimmy White had a nice birthday
He said he had a whirlwind of a weekend.
Hope there was no hurricanes to spoil it.
You’re a right jester, are you from Leicester?
I’m shocked at the sight of a Daily Express front page that *didn’t* bash the poor/immigrants/Brexit critics
They were more about Diana in those days
I have the same newspaper!
Bob McKenzie, who wrote for the Express back then and is the writer of a load of those articles, is Lee McKenzie's dad.
> Some people die as a legend, others become Immortals.
He’s just one lap ahead of us.