05.10.2023Senna's last Williams: The model for the fateful Imola weekend

Almost 30 years after this tragedy, the Brazilian is still considered unrivaled by numerous Formula 1-fans around the world. And even young drivers who were not able to admire Senna in action during his lifetime often refer to him as their idol. The modelcar scene also honors him with numerous miniature versions of his Formula 1-cars. Minichamps has now released Senna's last Williams.

The Grand Prix in Imola was the third in the season of 1994 and brought a certain amount of tension for Ayrton Senna in advance. After six years and three world titles at McLaren, Senna went to Williams for the new season, who had dominated the previous year with Alain Prost and won the world championship. But after the two opening races in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and Okayama, Japan, Senna still didn't have a single point to his name.

On the other hand, his young rival named Michael Schumacher had a perfect start to the season. Schumacher began his third full season in the premier class at Benetton as a title contender. Two wins and full points at the start of the year underlined his ambitions. For Ayrton Senna it was important to beat Michael Schumacher in Imola and finally find his way into the season.

But not only Senna, but the entire Formula 1-world should reach its limits here. The San Marino Grand Prix became oppressive and depressing early on. On Friday, Rubens Barrichello - later Michael Schumacher's teammate at Ferrari - had a serious accident in his Jordan. With the shock in the limbs we went into qualifying the next day, which was overshadowed by the fatal accident of the Austrian Roland Ratzenberger.

The Grand Prix on Sunday still started – with Ayrton Senna in pole position. It was the 65th and last time that the Brazilian would start the race from the best starting position. The breathtaking qualifying laps were always a trademark of Senna. The competition and the experts were always amazed at how Senna could push a Formula 1-car to the limit. However, Senna took his last pole position unspectacularly. After Ratzenberger's accident, he was one of the drivers who stayed in the pits for the rest of the qualifying.

At the start of the race the dramas continued. JJ Lehto – Michael Schumacher's teammate at Benetton – stopped in his starting position and was torpedoed by Pedro Lamy. Some spectators were injured by flying debris. Luckily everyone escaped with their lives.

But on the second lap after the safety car phase, Ayrton Senna's tragic and defining accident occurred. In the Tamburello left-hand corner, which was still extremely fast at the time, the Williams drove straight off the track and hit the track barrier with great force. After anxious minutes and the rescue, the race resumed and Michael Schumacher won again.

Ayrton Senna was declared dead after the race on Sunday evening. But despite the terrible weekend in Imola, the Formula 1-world has positive memories of one of its greatest heroes. This also applies to Minichamps, who commemorate the Brazilian with their model of the FW16 from the fateful race in Imola. The modelcar in scale 1:18 is limited to 333 pieces exclusively for ck-modelcars and is delivered including decals in a high-quality collector's folding box. In addition, the cockpit has been faithfully reproduced and a driver figure is included.

Ayrton Senna Williams FW16 #2 San Marino GP Formula 1 1994 1:18 Minichamps, RRP €199,95, item-no.: 543941833

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Ayrton Senna Williams FW16 #2 San Marino GP Formel 1 1994 1:18 Minichamps

199,95 €