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Sebastian Vettel got extre mely emotional as he drove Ayrton Senna's 1993 McLaren around the Imola circuit as a tribute to the late Brazilian and Austrian Formula One driver Roland Ratzenberger. Both Senna and Ratzenberger were involved in separate accidents across two days of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.
Vettel collaborated with Senna's family to honour the two drivers. Ahead of the 2024 Imola Grand Prix, the German great led a track run with members of the paddock on Thursday and then took part in a demonstration lap in the Senna's iconic McLaren MP4/8 ahead of Sunday's race. For his last lap in the McLaren, Vettel brought out the Brazilian and Austrian flags out of the cockpit.
Vettel pays tribute to Senna, Ratzenberger in McLaren MP4/8
It was one of the strongest emotions I've felt: Sebastian Vettel
The four-time champion was asked about if he got emotional when he came out of the car on the Imola grid. Vettel said, "Definitely. I don't know, it's difficult to put in words -- it was one of the strongest emotions I've felt behind the wheel despite being alone on track and not even racing. Incredible."
"When I got the flags out it was so powerful. We had a very strong and emotional moment on Thursday when we ran the track and another one today. It's overwhelming and I'm happy that I had the courage to address my idea and come forward and invite the Senna family on the idea. We only got positive feedback and it seemed like the right thing to do.
