Ayrton Senna’s ‘special’ final radio message to F1 rival Alain Prost before Imola crash

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Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were once fierce title rivals in F1 but the Brazilian’s final radio message to the Frenchman at Imola in 1994 highlighted the respect they shared.

The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola would prove to be one of the darkest weekends in Formula 1 history. Austrian rookie Roland Ratzenberger lost his life in a crash in qualifying at the Villeneuve curve and Senna died during the San Marino GP after crashing at Tamburello.

Disaster nearly befell F1 during practice at Imola, as well, as Rubens Barrichello crashed into the barrier at the Variante Bassa chicane. The Brazilian suffered a broken nose and sprained wrist, but Barrichello would regain consciousness after his tongue had blocked his airway.

Ayrton Senna told Alain Prost ‘we miss you’ one day before his fatal crash at Imola

Prost attended the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola working as a pundit for French TV after retiring from Formula 1 following the conclusion of his title-winning 1993 season. The four-time champion’s retirement even paved the route for Senna to join Williams for 1994.

Williams had long wanted to sign Senna but Prost blocked his arrival from McLaren in 1993 after enduring a fierce rivalry whilst teammates. Sparks often flew and controversy was not uncommon as Senna and Prost fought for the Formula 1 drivers’ title from the 1988 season.

READ MORE: All to know about Ayrton Senna including Alain Prost rivalry and Imola crash

But Prost retiring also created a route to building a strong relationship with Senna and they spoke regularly. The revered son of Sao Paulo even sought out his once bitter rival twice on the day of the 1994 San Marino GP, once in the TV compound and later in Williams’ garage.

Senna also sent Prost a message over Williams’ team radio during practice on the Saturday of the 1994 San Marino GP, just one day before the three-time champion died at Imola. He noted whilst on circuit: “A special hello to my dear, our dear friend, Alain. We all miss you.”

Prost later revealed that Senna even sought to speak with him in person on the Saturday of the 1994 San Marino GP at Imola to discuss the standards of safety in F1. The Lorette native said: “The main constant was safety and the fact that he was not happy with the situation.”

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Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost often spoke about safety in F1 before his death in 1994

Senna and Prost built a rich relationship when the latter retired, with years of rivalry put to the side. It was arguably the greatest rivalry Formula 1 has ever seen, with their contention for one another deep-rooted to the point that Senna seldom referred to Prost by his name.

Yet after rarely speaking while rivals during often controversial title fights, they did become close when Prost retired. Senna often urged the Frenchman to head the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) and help improve the standards of safety of Formula 1 cars and circuits.

Senna also offered to lead the GPDA after Ratzenberger’s death, one day before his own at Imola in 1994. The GPDA was re-established from the next race at the 1994 Monaco Grand Prix with Niki Lauda, Michael Schumacher, Gerhard Berger and Martin Brundle appointed.