Ratzenberger, never forgotten

Roland Ratzenberger enjoyed moderate success in the Formula 3000 Championship, but did enough to earn a long-term contract with the Simtek Formula One in 1994.

The Austrian failed to qualify for the Brazilian Grand Prix but finished 11th in Japan before arriving at the Imola circuit in Italy.

During Saturday’s qualifying session, the front wing of his car broke off and lodged under the car. Ratzenberger was unable to make the turn into the Villeneuve corner, and hit the wall at 315km/h. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Former F1 driver and good friend Johnny Herbert said: “We lost a really nice guy in Roland, who worked very hard to get himself in that position of being a F1 driver. A really nice guy… it was very rare to see him not smiling.”