Hamilton given "harsh reminder" of Senna's death
Hamilton given "harsh reminder" of Senna's death
Lewis Hamilton has conceded to being provided with a "harsh reminder" of the death of Ayrton Senna after undertaking his track 'walk' at Imola ahead of this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Formula 1 is returning to the fabled venue for a two-day weekend, ending a 14-year hiatus, with Hamilton due to compete in his first grand prix at a circuit where his hero Ayrton Senna lost his life in 1994.
While Hamilton has previously raced at Imola, in GP2 in 2006 and the 2002 Formula Renault Eurocup, the fact he will be making his F1 debut at the track represents a poignant moment in his career.
"Watching a grand prix here was always special, obviously the history of 1994. It's something I'll always remember," said Mercedes driver Hamilton, who toured the circuit on a motorised scooter.
“I went around [on Friday] and it was a really special lap just seeing this historic track, passing the harsh reminder of where Ayrton crashed.
“It is very surreal still for me when I go to places, when you drive through the tunnel in Monaco or you drive at the British Grand Prix, where you know that the greats in the past had raced at those places.
"The fact earlier on I was in an area where 26 years ago Ayrton was here doing what he loved, as I am, in one way it’s heartwarming to know that I was able to be here and do what he was doing."
Recalling the moment he heard of Senna's death, Hamilton added: "I remember that day, I was racing at Rye House in karting. I was helping my dad fix the car, changing a wheel, I think, helping to do the bolts up on a rear wheel of my Kadet kart.
"I don't know how he got the news but someone had told him Ayrton had died, and I remember I had to walk away from my dad because my dad would never let me cry in front of him, so I had to go to a different place and it was not so easy.
“But I remember trying to channel that sadness into my driving, and I think I won that weekend. But the following weeks were very tough.”
Given the dramatic backdrop at Imola, that at least offered some positive feelings for Hamilton ahead of this weekend.
"What I was really impressed with were the surroundings. It's a beautiful place, a beautiful part of the country," enthused the six-time F1 champion.
"I remember when I first came to Italy to race and I was 13. It was so much different from the scenery in the UK.
"I remember that feeling, that first time, and I've not felt that in a long, long time. Going around the track it was really reminiscent of my first days of when I was racing in karting here, just reminded me of the love that I have for Italy."
Before you go...
Ferrari to inform Haas of identity of junior promotion in two weeks
Verstappen "never meant to hurt anyone" with offensive Stroll comments
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 star PENALISED following controversial Chinese GP incident
- 5 minutes ago
F1 Qualifying Results: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 times - 100th Red Bull pole as Hamilton crashes out in Q1
- 45 minutes ago
Hamilton suffers CATASTROPHIC F1 qualifying after early exit
- 57 minutes ago
Chinese Grand Prix qualifying red flagged after unusual HIGH SPEED crash
- 1 hour ago
F1 Chinese Grand Prix weather forecast - latest today from Shanghai
- 1 hour ago
Chinese Grand Prix Sprint 2024 results: Final classification with penalties applied
- 2 hours ago
Related news
Wolff left FUMING with Mercedes despite amazing Hamilton lap
Hamilton makes STUNNING claim on F1 future amid Ferrari contract uncertainty
Brundle questions Ferrari Hamilton decision with Vettel comparison
EXCLUSIVE: Hamilton to Ferrari 'a big risk' according to McLaren driver
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860