The Death of Roland Ratzenberger was a death that occurred at 2:17 pm on 30th April 1994, during qualifying for the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
Cause of accident
editWhat is thought to have happened is that Ratzenberger damaged his front wing at the aqua minerale chicane on the previous lap. Instead of coming in to the pits, he continued. Whne he approached the Villenueve curve at Imola, his front wing got stuck under his chassis. As a result, his steering was compromised and took the wall head on.
Result
editThe following morning, the drivers gathered to discuss the safety of Formula One. Among those there was Ayrton Senna, on the morning he died. The accident prompted Sid Watkins to encourage Senna into retirement. Senna still raced, however, and crashed to his death.