Sebastian Vettel and his father Norbert Vettel tear up during Ayrton Senna's tribute

Former F1 driver Sebastian Vettel and his father, Norbert Vettel, were visibly emotional after Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger's tribute at the 2024 F1 Imola GP. Vettel paid tribute to Senna and Ratzenberger by driving Senna's McLaren MP4/8 around Imola.

Roland Ratzenberger participated in his third race after starting his F1 career at the 1994 F1 San Marino Grand Prix held at Imola. During the second qualifying, he lost control of his car, causing the front wing to lodge beneath it. This caused a significant collision that ultimately ended in his demise.

Despite Ratzenberger's incident and subsequent death, the San Marino GP was held and all drivers, including Ayrton Senna, participated in it. Regretfully, the Brazilian lost control of his vehicle at the fast-paced Tamburello curve on lap seven of the competition. The impact of the crash was so severe that it took Senna's life as well.

Ever since that dark day in F1, both Senna and Ratzenberger were always remembered whenever the sport arrived at Imola. 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the incident.

Sebastian Vettel paid a special tribute to both drivers. He held a small gathering of current F1 drivers and paddock members and ran around the circuit ahead of the race weekend.

Right before the 2024 F1 Imola GP, Vettel drove Senna's McLaren MP4/8 F1 car around the track and held Brazilian and Austrian flags while driving the legendary car with one hand. After the tribute lap, both Sebastian and his father were in tears. Norbert Vettel was especially emotional since his son drove his idol, Ayrton Senna's car.

---

Sebastian Vettel expresses his emotions after driving tribute laps in Ayrton Senna's McLaren MP4/8 around Imola

Sebastian Vettel expressed his feelings after paying tribute to both Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger by driving Senna's McLaren MP4/8 before the 2024 F1 Imola GP.

Vettel drove the legendary F1 car hard and occasionally waved at fans whenever he passed certain stands around Imola. Later on, he also brought out Brazilian and Austrian flags and held them high with one hand, while driving with another.

Speaking to F1.com, Sebastian Vettel stated how he was overwhelmed with emotions after driving the car and remembering both drivers. He also mentioned the dark day when both drivers lost their lives at the 1994 F1 San Marino GP.

"Incredible, I think an Incredible moment...obviously a very dark moment in time, 30 years ago, when there was this horrible weekend. So to be here 30 years on, drive Ayrton's car, remembering both Ayrton and also Roland, certainly very emotional," Vettel said.

"It's so great to see so many people, so much joy and excitement when they see the car. When I brought the flag out I think it was exploding when it comes to emotions," he added.