Death is mocking, it takes you with it without asking permission. You can’t propose to her to come another day… You have to accept it. And it is precisely death that marks F1, which experienced its watershed exactly 30 years ago. AND Imola ’94, the black weekend, which experienced its prologue with the death of Roland Ratzenberger.
30 April ’94: fatal crash for Roland Ratzenberger
April 30, 1994 is a Saturday. After witnessing a major accident involving Rubens Barrichello on Friday, fortunately without any consequences, the race weekend continues.
The second free practice session is taking place. Among the drivers competing that year was Roland Ratzenberger. More than 30 years old, the Austrian was in a team – the Simtek – of great hopes, but small means. It was one of those that most probably wouldn’t have remembered, if it weren’t for that carelessness/mistake that later proved fatal.
An aggressive pass on the curb at Acque Minerali took him off the track, generating a crack on the front wing. A subtle fracture that high speed and curves widened.
Then a noise. The wing comes off and slides under the car, which is now ungovernable. As a pilot, Roland paradoxically became a passenger who, defenseless, met his fate.
His Simtek Ford goes at a crazy speed: more than 300 km/h. Only the barriers near the Tosa contain it in a very violent crash.
A roar.
The images are raw. The car spins 6 times and then stops in the middle of the track, almost as if everyone had to look carefully, as if it wanted to take center stage.
If there had been social media like now, everyone would have been with their phones in their hands to immortalize the story. In fact, that impact didn’t just cause the car to stop. The Austrian’s heart also stopped, as will only be ascertained following the autopsy.
Your head is shaking, the situation is more serious than you think. She then stops, leaning on one side, in an unnatural position.
It is surrender or, looking at it another way, acceptance.
Cruel destiny
Fate with Roland was cruel even after death. It only takes 24 hours to darken it.
The sacrifice paid to live the dream of a lifetime is common to the events of the Imola ’94 weekend. But if on Saturday a modest pilot lost his life, on Sunday F1 lost its legend, Ayrton Senna. During the night the Brazilian even thought about not racing, tested by what happened to Ratzenberger. Was it worth taking such a risk for a dream?
Yes, if that dream is your reason for living.
This iconic track reminds us every day of the danger of motorsport, still bearing the signs of those days in 1994 when sister death arrived with force.
We are all equal in the face of the latter, no one can say they are privileged or more important. She takes you and takes her with her, she doesn’t give anyone a chance.
It is the vision of men that gives it weight.
Precisely for this reason Roland Ratzenberger, if you will, had the misfortune of having died on the wrong weekend.
There are no deaths of series A and B, but only deaths. And Roland deserves the respect and recognition that isn’t always given to him.
