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(Motorsport-Total.com) – In times of the crown crisis that affects us all over the world, we all have much more time to think about all kinds of things and do things that are always postponed. Not only social contacts, the loss of one or the other job, but also all our public life stagnate. This also includes attending important events such as concerts, soccer, or motorsports.
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Film Tip: “The Long Road to Short Happiness” by Roland Ratzenberger, by Peter Levay Zoom
How to save yourself from this difficult time with digital careers, podcasts and Skype interviews. The official Formula 1 channel on YouTube currently shows classic racing from yesteryear. These included the 1996 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, which Michael Schumacher won with his inferior Ferrari; the title fights in Adelaide in 1986 and in Jerez in 1997; but also crazy, because at the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix there were unique races in which only six cars crossed the finish line.
Certainly some exciting races will be uploaded in the coming weeks, which should bring the history of Formula 1 closer to the fan.
Certainly, a race will remain in the archives for reasons of piety: the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, May 1, 1994. One of the most catastrophic race weekends the modern Fomel 1 has ever seen. For the youngest of our readers who don’t know what happened then, here is the balance of the weekend:
Friday, April 29: Rubens Barichello accident
In Friday’s qualifying, Rubens Barrichello (later Michael Schumacher’s teammate at Ferrari) was catapulted against the fence because he was simply too fast on a chicane. Of course, these were secured with a double stack of tires. But what does this precaution do if the racing car uses the sloped curbs as a ski jump and hits just above the pile of tires?
The low-altitude flight could have ended 30 centimeters higher in the fully occupied podium. Unthinkable what consequences would have had. With a multiple roll, Barrichello was thrown back and miraculously suffered only minor cuts to his face.
Everyone who saw the photos at the time was terrified. The entire Formula 1 circus saw the minor consequences of the accident as a sign of the indestructible security that Formula 1 was in at the time.
Saturday, April 30: Roland Ratzenberger accident
Saturday’s rating was almost 15 minutes, when you saw a completely destroyed accident on the screens. It was the Simtek of Roland Ratzenberger from Austria. He was on a fast lap and tried to qualify for his third Formula 1 race with technically inferior material.
Imola 1994: memories of Roland Ratzenberger
26 years later: Colleagues like Gerhard Berger and Karl Wendlinger remember the fatal weekend at Imola and Roland Ratzenberger More Formula 1 Videos
Then part of the front wing broke and he made sure he had no downforce at the fastest point of travel on the front wheels and that his vehicle became unmanageable. The impact on the concrete wall must have occurred at about 300 km / h. Rushed doctors were no longer able to help him.
Sunday, May 1: departure accident
At the beginning of the race, J.J. Lehto (Michael Schumacher’s teammate at Benetton) turned off the engine and waved his arms wildly to warn the vehicles behind. Pedro Lamy in the Lotus did not see the obstacle and crashed almost head-on in the rear of the Benetton. A boot accident like it had happened before. Both drivers were unhurt.
The tragedy of this impact, however, were two ripped wheels that flew toward the audience in the stands along with their suspension. Nine spectators were injured, one so severe that he reportedly was in a coma for several weeks. To this day, he suffers the consequences of this accident due to the severity of the head injuries.
Sunday, May 1: Ayrton Senna accident
The race is neutralized behind a safety car that is too slow until it starts again with the green flag. Ayrton Senna is in the lead, with Michael Schumacher very close. On lap seven, the Williams-Renault hits the uneven road surface multiple times in the Tamburello corner, making the car unstable and unmanageable.
The inevitable impact on the concrete wall is the result. The Williams is thrown back onto the shoulder. The whole world holds its breath and waits for Senna to come out. But a broken wheel with its suspension hit Senna so hard on the head that she suffered irreparable brain injury.
The race was restarted after a 45-minute break.
Sunday, May 1: Michele Alboreto accident
The newly started race received little attention as they feared for the life of three-time world champion Ayrton Senna of Brazil. News of the Bologna hospital kept coming. On the one hand, there was talk of Senna’s clinical death and, again, of hope for recovery.
Another disgrace happened at Michele Alboreto’s pit stop, in which a detachable rear wheel eliminated several Ferrari and Lotus mechanics as cones. Broken legs and bruises are the result. Back then there was no speed limit in the pit lane. The race continued and Michael Schumacher won.
Imola 1994: Ayrton Senna’s death outshines everything else
Formula 1 cost two lives this Imola weekend. To this day, only three-time world champion Ayrton Senna is spoken of. Experts agree that ultimately only his death led to the safety review of Formula 1.
But what about Roland Ratzenberger, the second victim back then? Is his death worth less because he only started his third career?
Those who knew Roland Ratzenberger best and witnessed and followed his story do not find this unequal treatment justified. Achieving entry into Formula 1 with Ratzenberger’s prerequisites deserves the highest recognition.
Roland Ratzenberger from Salzburg always dreamed of becoming a racing driver. Walter Lechner’s nearby workshop magically attracts and brings you closer to your goal when you can move your race cars from time to time with a lot of work as a mechanic.
You have no money, so you must take advantage of the opportunities that arise. In 1982 Ratzenberger moved to Germany because he was able to earn money as an instructor at the ISA Racing driving school and was able to take his first steps in Formula Ford. He remained in Germany until 1985 and saw his first victories.
If you want to make a name for yourself in the world of motorsport, you have to go to England. Ratzenberger finally made his advance thousands of miles from his home. In 1986 he won the Ford Formula Festival at Brands Hatch by an absolute margin. The Freilassing Schnitzer team became aware of Salzburg’s “neighbors” and offered him a job contract for 1987.
Ratzenberger has only one goal: Formula 1
But passenger cars are only an intermediate stage. You have to move formula cars, otherwise the road leads to any other place, only not to Formula 1. With the financial support of ATS, it is possible to compete in some Formula 3 races. He has been driving this series for two years, parallel to passenger cars. On touring cars, earn the money you spend on Formula 3.
1989 was the turning point in the Austrian’s career: his participation in the English Formula 3000, at that time the last obstacle for Formula 1, led him on a completely wrong path. In the middle of the season, he will be brought to Japan for sports cars, but will move away from Formula 1 in Europe.
Since he makes a lot of money, he can afford to continue the series in England. He travels back and forth between Japan and England almost every other weekend. You have to make this effort not to lose contact with important people in Formula 1.
Since 1990, Ratzenberger has only driven in Japan, but instead three series: Formula 3000, sports cars and the touring car championship. He wins this immediately. Ratzenberger is a hero in Japan, his larger-than-life posters hang at gas stations, and fans adore the friendly racing driver from Europe. There is no reason to give up this secure source of income.
But Ratzenberger wants to go to Formula 1.
At the last minute, a door opens with Simtek’s team of newcomers. You trust your services as an experienced pilot alongside David Brabham.
Ratzenberger’s position in the first two races, or whether he retired, does not matter in the opinion of many of his teammates. The only thing was that he wanted to show everyone that he belonged to Formula 1.
And to this day it is part of the history of Formula One.
Trailer for the new film about Roland Ratzenberger
“The Long Road to Short Happiness” begins April 30 on Amazon Prime Video, and the official trailer for filmmaker Peter Levay is now available. More Formula 1 Videos
The Long Road to Short Happiness: Now watch the emotional film about Roland Ratzenberger and Imola 1994 on Amazon Prime Video (sponsored link)!
