Sebastian Vettel was moving in Imola. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Vettel's emotional words at the scene of Ayrton Senna's accident

Former world champion Sebastian Vettel spoke of his own fears in Formula 1 at a memorial event for Ayrton Senna in Imola.

17 May 2024

From: dpa

The four-time world champion from Germany mentioned the serious accident of Jules Bianchi, who later died, in Japan in 2014 and, above all, the fatal accident of Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert in Spa-Francorchamps in 2019.

“I remember the phone calls with my wife and how I worried about getting back into the car,” said Vettel when asked whether he himself had been afraid to climb into the car. Ultimately, racing is what he loves.

Sebastian Vettel looks back on the difficult moments of his career. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

The Frenchman Bianchi crashed into a recovery crane in Japan and died the following year from severe head injuries. Hubert had lost control of his car in Spa and succumbed to his serious injuries.

Senna and Ratzenberger must not forget

Vettel completed a track run with his former Formula 1 colleagues in Imola on Thursday evening, and the entourage then held a minute's silence for the Brazilian Formula 1 legend in front of the Senna monument in the Tamburello curve. Vettel & Co. also put locks on the fence to record their thoughts of Senna, who died 30 years ago after a serious accident at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

Numerous drivers came to the memorial event in front of the Senna monument. © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

“Ayrton stands for so much more than what he achieved in the car,” recalled Vettel, who particularly praised Senna’s social commitment. On the same weekend in Italy, the Austrian Roland Ratzenberger also died in an accident. This should not be “forgotten,” warned Vettel, who resigned at the end of 2022. “They were two special people.” Formula 1 then took important steps “to make the sport safer.”