Jordan remembers Senna

The San Marino Grand Prix this year marks the 10th anniversary of Ayrton Senna's fatal accident at Imola in 1994. Eddie Jordan, Chief Executive of Jordan Grand Prix, has emotional recollections of the legendary Brazilian driver and the weekend of his death.

Eddie Jordan.

Photo by Dave Dyer.

"In September 1982, I gave Ayrton da Silva, as he was known before he changed his name to Senna, his first F3 test at Silverstone - and he was staggeringly quick," he said.

"Having failed to sign him for the 1983 F3 season, I was lucky enough to sign Martin Brundle and the titanic battle of Senna and Brundle during that year is a matter of motorsport folklore. Jordan and WSE joined together to form the Theodore team at Macau that year, where our drivers were Senna, Brundle and Geurrero. We finished 1st and 2nd with Senna winning his first ever international race in Asia."

"Ayrton remained a great friend and supporter of the team until his untimely death at Imola. That weekend started in a devastating manner with the huge accident and hospitalisation of our driver Rubens Barrichello on Friday, followed harrowingly by the tragic and sudden death on Saturday of Roland Ratzenburger, and then the cruel loss of Ayrton during the race."

"I can distinctly remember the FOCA flight home, which, to the best of my recollection, is the only time I have been on a flight in total silence. Ayrton was a great talent, a great champion, a great person. The world is a lesser place without him."

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