On May 1, 1994,
Ayrton Senna died in a crash at the Imola Circuit in Italy. This year, on May
1, 2014, exactly 20 years following the death of Ayrton Senna, the world paid
tribute to whom many consider the greatest Formula 1 driver ever. 24 hours
earlier, in 1994, Roland Ratzenberger died at the same track and he too, is
being remembered.
As part of the
remembrance, tribute, and celebrations honoring Senna and Ratzenberger during
an entire weekend at Imola, the “Memorial Senna” was held at the Romeo Galli
Stadium, a commemorative football match between Nazionale Piloti (Formula 1
drivers, or ‘pilots’ as they are called) and Scuderia Ferrari Club. (SFC won,
3-0.)
Players for
Nazionale Piloti included the same drivers who played with Ayrton Senna in
Pescara in 1992 including Ricardo Patrese, Andrea De Cesaris, Alessandro
Nannini and others.
Aegean had the
privilege of being the sponsor of the event, watched by Senna fans from around
the world and reported on by the global media. Leading personalities from the
world of racing and football attended, including Fernando Alonso, Kimi
Raikkonen, Ivan Cappeli and Emmanuel Pirro.
At the start and
end of the match, fans and players also sent a message of support to Michael
Schumacher.
The weekend
events included a charity dinner, the naming of a square, the opening of a new
museum and, to top off festivities, the “Memorial Senna” match.
Funds raised
during the weekend were donated to the Instituto Ayrton Senna in Brazil, the
home of the famed driver, who founded the organization in 1994. The Instituto
helps underprivileged children and is run by Senna’s sister, Viviane, an ardent
supporter of the Imola events.
Viviane herself
unveiled a new Azul Brazilian airplane designed as a commemorative craft, with
the iconic color scheme of Senna’s helmet.
The tribute also
included a emotional move by Brazilian team Corinthians (of which Senna was a
huge fan) when the Corinthian players walked onto the pitch with replicas of
Senna’s bright yellow trademark helmet ahead of its match against National AM.
George Melissanidis of Aegean said: "We at Aegean take
great pride in supporting this moving and important event. Following the crash,
safety at Formula 1 races was improved dramatically and no driver has lost his
life during a grand prix race since. Aegean supports safe driving—on the
racetrack and on the roadway—and understands that road safety is vital to
saving lives and preventing injuries."