Ayrton Senna, a Brazilian racing driver widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of Formula One, was involved in a fatal accident during the San Marino Grand Prix at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy. Senna's car, the Williams FW16, was leading the race on the seventh lap when it veered off the track at high speed. He struck a concrete wall at approximately 145 mph, resulting in catastrophic head injuries. The race was immediately stopped, and emergency services attempted to rescue him but were unsuccessful. Senna was airlifted to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

This incident occurred just a day after fellow driver Roland Ratzenberger tragically lost his life during qualifying. Together, these back-to-back fatalities highlighted the severe safety issues in Formula One at the time. Following Senna's death, extensive investigations were launched, which led to significant regulatory reforms in car design and circuit safety standards. These changes contributed to enhancing driver safety, making modern Formula One racing significantly safer for participants.

Senna was not only known for his unparalleled skill on the track but also for his passionate personality and profound respect for the sport. His death led to an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow competitors alike, as he had become an iconic figure in motorsport. His legacy continues to influence the sport to this day, with numerous memorials and tributes in his honor. The impact of his death reverberated throughout motorsport, leading to a newfound focus on the importance of safety in racing.