Formula One news

Berger pays tribute to lost stars

Berger in the Lotus at Imola

Former Formula One driver Gerhard Berger paid tribute to Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger who died in separate accidents at Imola in 1994. Berger completed three laps of honour at the Imola circuit in the JPS Lotus.

The Lotus was the same one driven by Senna. Berger wore a badge of Ratzenberger's helmet and carried a flag bearing Senna's picture. 

Ratzenberger badge on Berger's overalls

"What I did was a great way to remember my colleagues," Berger said. "It was very emotional for many reasons, firstly at Tamburello seeing the marshals who saved my life in 1989 and who tried to save Ayrton's life in 1994."

Berger drove a Ferrari in the 1989 San Marino Grand Prix until it veered off the track and burst into flames. Marshals acted very quickly putting out the flames and saving Berger from the wreck.

"Seeing all the fans as I drove round the ciruit was also emotional as well as remembering back to the days of these types of cars - it was a great and very special thing to do," he added.

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