sport news Fans and politicians gather to pay their respects to F1 legend Ayrton Senna on ... trends now
The 30th anniversary of the death of F1 icon Ayrton Senna is being commemorated with a memorial at Imola, while fans have gathered on the track where he crashed in 1994 to pay tribute.
Senna was the sport's brightest star, a hero to millions, especially in his native Brazil but on lap seven of the ill-fated San Marino Grand Prix - a weekend that had already claimed the life of Austrian Roland Ratzenberger - he ran off the road at 190mph and hit a concrete wall. He died instantly, aged 34.
Wednesday marks three decades since the Senna's death and the occasion has been observed by fans paying their respect.
In addition, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali was joined by politicians from Brazil, Italy and Austria - in remembrance of Ratzenberger, who died during a qualifying session.
Flags, jerseys and posters bearing the Sao Paulo-born driver's face adorned gates of Imola on Wednesday, while many surrounded the memorial in his honour and laid wreaths, lit candles and took a moment for reflection.
Tributes to F1 legend Ayrton Senna adorned the gates at the Imola race track on the 30th annioversary of his death
Fans visited the monument dedicated to the driver during an event to commemorate him
A replica of Senna's iconic helmet was placed on the monument dedicated to him by a fan
Fans gathered and for the commemorative event on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of his passing
Senna adjusts his rear view mirror in the pits before the start of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix
Senna won his three World Championships with McLaren in 1988, 1990 and 1991. In 1994 he joined Williams after the retirement of Alain Prost.
The move had long been desired by Senna but he was unhappy with the way his car performed following a number of rule changes and even predicted that a possibly fatal accident might occur.
On the eve of the 1994 season he said: 'The cars are very fast and difficult to drive. It's going to be a season with lots of accidents and I'll risk saying we'll be lucky if something really serious doesn't happen.'
And the fearful prophecy came to be at Imola. While leading the race, Senna lost control of his Williams at the notorious Tamburello corner. The right-front suspension of the triple world champion's car penetrated
