With no disrespect to that great American President JFK, there
are millions of people in this World who often ask each other-where were you on
1st May 1994. To which of course we all know the answer. Either in front
of a television set or at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola. For my part I was
commentating off-tube, meaning that I was in front of a monitor seeing what
everyone was seeing except for one thing. I had excess to the BBC as well as
Sky so when the BBC moved away from the scene of the tragedy to show the
pitlane I was able to witness Ayrton’s last moments. As five times champion
Juan Manuel Fangio said as he was watching in Argentina “as soon as I saw his
head move I knew it was over. I switched off my set”. If you are young and
don’t know what all this is about get on the internet and watch some Senna footage.
I would recommend the European Grand Prix of 1993. Or any other race featuring
him for that matter. Then you will understand why tens of thousands of people
are making the pilgrimage to his shrine in Imola 20 years after his passing.
Alonso, Raikkonen, just about everyone.
I first saw him drive in Monaco, back in 1984 in a humble
Toleman racing car. He was up against all the big names-Lauda, Prost, Nigel
Mansell, Keke Rosberg, Rene Arnoux. It was raining cats and dogs but as the
race went on Sienna worked his way up to second place and rapidly catching
Prost. Much to his disgust the race was stopped on lap 31. The British
commentating team of Murray Walker and former World Champion James Hunt had a
few choice words concerning the decision . It is debated to this day. A star
was born there and then. His mastery in the rain became legendary over the
years. The awful thing is that his fatal accident just like Michael
Schumacher’s near fatal in the Alps it was a million to one chance. His lasting
memory apart from all the “reels” of his victories the accident and that of
Ratzenberger the day before resulted in a massive safety campaign led by FIA
President Max Mosley and Prof. Sid Watkins. Mercifully we haven’t
had a fatality in F1 since. My cherished memory is the interview I conducted on
behalf of Hungarian TV at the world famous Gundel restaurant in Budapest the
Saturday evening before the race. It was a rare exclusive. One on
one-unheard of with Ayrton and I have to thank Marlboro for arranging it.
He was happy, relaxed and much in love. I didn’t know until
recently that the interview was also secretly recorded by a waiter! Over 3000
people have viewed it on YouTube, just tap in Senna in Budapest 1993.
For many enthusiasts and almost all his fellow racing
drivers he is regarded as the greatest ever. The way he drove, the
determination, the way he wore his belief in God on his sleeve, the joy he gave
to his adoring fans, hard to define but easy to see . Racing drivers come and
go but Ayrton will be with us forever.
http://www.franklyfrankl.com
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