Ratzenberger: The man whose death is still overshadowed by Senna

The 1994 Imola Grand Prix is etched in the memory of many. Mainly because of the death of Formula 1 major Ayrton Senna, but one day before that Roland Ratzenberger also died on 30 May 1994, now 26 years ago.

The forgotten driver

Ratzenbergers death has been snowed under over the years. The death of the Austrian was regretted, but the day later the icon of Formula 1 died during the race: Senna. The weekend in Austria was already full of incidents, as Rubens Barrichello didn't get out of his car during free practice either.

Ratzenberger and a day later also Senna really died. The Austrian was already 33 years old, but didn't have much experience in Formula 1 yet. In fact, Ratzenberger was a rookie in 1994. He made his debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix for the MTV Simtek Ford team but was unable to qualify. For the second race in the Pacific he managed to do so, but finished eleventh.

Improvement in Formula 1

Yet Ratzenberger was no stranger to motorsport. He won the second class of the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1993 and also won a race in the Formula 3000 Championship. In that championship he finished seventh in 1992.

The death of Ratzenberger and Senna did have some effect in Formula 1. The Grand Prix Drivers' Association got off the ground and that would change a lot in terms of safety in Formula 1. Since then only Jules Bianchi would die, after which the virtual Safety Car was introduced.