🇧🇷 Imola 1994, 30 years on… 🇧🇷

The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix race weekend was arguably the darkest day in F1. Rubens Barrichello was lucky to escape with minor injuries after his Jordan left the circuit in dramatic fashion during Friday practice, went airborne and hit the catch fencing at speed. On Saturday April 30th, the chirpy and happy Austrian rookie Roland Ratzenberger left his pit garage and perished after a wing failure on his S941 Simtek Ford. The F1 world was rocked with this being the first fatality at a circuit since Riccardo Paletti in 1982. Nobody would have believed that another tragedy would strike and take the life of the great Ayrton Senna 24 hours later. 

Thirty years forward, Senna continues to be revered worldwide. His legacy is seen in the work of the Senna Foundation that has raised millions to support underprivileged children in his native Brazil. Drivers have paid tribute over the years with helmet designs and there is no doubt that the list of World Champions in the mid-late 1990’s would probably have included Senna winning several more titles as the Williams Renault combination became dominant. 

This week we showcase a selection of Senna related pieces including a wonderful bust of the great man entitled  “The Boy from Sao Paolo”, “Brazilian Eyes” an original artwork by Ben Payne and a rarely seen print by Craig Warwick “Pensive”, all of which capture the intensity of this complex man brilliantly. 

Also from Ben Payne we offer arguably one of his finest works, “Casino Champion” depicting the great man at Monaco en-route to his record sixth win at the circuit. 

A hand made 1/43 cast metal model and diorama of Ayrton at Casino Square during the infamous and very wet Monaco Grand Prix in 1984 by Keith Williams makes a superb display piece in its custom glass case. 

From renowned F1 photographer, Mark Sutton we offer a McLaren exclusive portfolio of images including many of Ayrton during his McLaren years that is long sold out. This is a rare proof “0000” pre-issue set that celebrates 40 years of McLaren. We also offer a bespoke perspex frame gifted by Ron Dennis to his personal guest at MTC, complete with four official team b/w press images of Ayrton Senna.

In 1987,  Autosport Awards commissioned a painting by Nicholas Watts  depicting Ayrton in his Camel Lotus Honda fighting with his Brazilian Rival, Nelson Piquet. This unsigned edition was only available to guests at the dinner and is beautifully framed and glazed ready for wall hanging. 

Ayrton was a family man at heart and doted on his nephew, Bruno, who drove in Formula 1 for HRT, Williams and Lotus and continues as a McLaren brand ambassador to this day. We are delighted to offer an official Bell 1:1 replica of Bruno’s Lotus helmet, hand signed to both the visor and helmet by Bruno at a McLaren event at Goodwood, accompanied with a COA from his management and photographs of the signing exclusive to MM.

Thank you,

Tim Scott