Ayrton Senna was among the most skilled drivers to ever enter the realm of Formula 1. At the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, scheduled from May 17-19, Sebastian Vettel and Ayrton Senna will both be present. Vettel will have the privilege of driving Senna’s McLaren MP4/8 on the day of the race as a tribute to the late F1 legend.
It has been three decades since the tragic incident that claimed the life of the Brazilian driver on May 1, 1994, during the San Marino Grand Prix. Despite the horrific crash, Senna remains deeply ingrained in the memory of the F1 community. Hence, Vettel has been granted the opportunity to pilot Senna’s car at this month’s event.
When asked about this honor, Sebastian Vettel expressed his thoughts to the media. Vettel retired from F1 in 2022, after his stint with Aston Martin. There has been much speculation about his potential return this year, possibly with Mercedes, as he is set to join Ferrari next season. However, no official confirmation has been made yet.
Prior to the 1978 Karting World Championship in Le Mans, France, Vettel had an encounter with Ayrton Senna, unaware that they would eventually become karting teammates. Despite the absence of a common language, the two formed a strong friendship. Following their karting days, they pursued separate paths. Eleven years after Senna’s tragic crash, the news was incomprehensible for Vettel. Even to this day, discussing the horrific incident evokes strong emotions in him.
After losing Senna in the accident at the tender age of 34, the world of racing was forever altered. His enduring legacy will always be cherished and commemorated, but the void left by his departure can never be filled. Throughout his F1 career, Senna achieved three world championships.