Los Angeles, 2014 -- I was with my co-worker picking up computer equipment. At the front desk was a lovely young woman who greeted us. I noticed her last name, Ratzenberger. And as unlikely as I thought it would be, I had to ask: "I noticed your last name. This may sound silly, but you wouldn't happen to be related to Roland the F1 driver?" She paused with a very surprised look on her face and a moment later she said "Yes! He was my uncle. I was very young and he was gone a lot because of racing so I barely remember him but my family still miss him a lot". I was kinda shocked that she really was related to him and didn't know how to respond at first. I told her I watched the race that tragic weekend and was only 11 years old. I also said that Roland's death affected me and that the following day was one of the worst days of my childhood when Ayrton died. That whole weekend was weird being a kid and seeing all these accidents. She acknowledged how tragic that weekend was. Before I left, I shook her hand and said thank you for the chat. She was very nice and polite. The rest of my day was an inexplicable feeling. I guess having such a memorable event of your childhood and 20 years later to randomly meet a family member of the person who tragically died that weekend brought back all those memories and emotions in a more connected way, if that makes any sense. Kinda weird how us humans function and connect, isn't it? I'm very glad it happened though. I'm also glad that both drivers are still recognized every year after all this time. R.I.P Roland & Ayrton.

@oldmanc2

2 ай бұрын

Amazing story. Thanks for sharing

@gavinpells4497

2 ай бұрын

Wonderful story, thank you for sharing.

Best Ratzenberger documentary I've seen from a broadcaster; while Senna's story is known back to front by now, there's plenty to find out about Roland's journey to F1.

@thomasreiter2515

2 ай бұрын

Check out this one

@patrickanderson9023

2 ай бұрын

This doc is from 2014.

@kennkart

2 ай бұрын

Check levay film production. There is a docuseries about roland.

Respect to all the drivers who lost their lives in the name of safety in motorsports.

@mattgrant9479

2 ай бұрын

Well said ❤ and thank you to those who have made it safer.

@sonicstep

2 ай бұрын

In the name of safety? Excuse me. They lost their lives during the course of having immense pleasure. That's essentially why you race.! Hence the titled film RUSH..

The ‘alright, mate’ had me.

@nutzernameba

2 ай бұрын

+1

@Neil_BT

2 ай бұрын

Yep - made it all the way through, and then that brought in the onion fairy.

@nathanwilliams2152

2 ай бұрын

Showed how much of a family Simtek was. On another point, I thought David Brabham was one of the drivers of 1994, he helped pick that team up by its bootlaces, especially when he decided to take the start at Imola.

Ratsenburgers death is normally overshadowed because of senna but it’s was equally as sad

@anime_addicted9

2 ай бұрын

@@riquelmeone it’s a simple spelling mistake not a big deal

@JourneywithSmee

2 ай бұрын

Watch out; the grammar police are about! 😂

@CricketEngland

2 ай бұрын

Normally it’s always overshadowed

@anime_addicted9

2 ай бұрын

@@JourneywithSmee exactly 😂 some people man 😂

@MinecraftProfi007

2 ай бұрын

*Ratzenberger. Please, if you are already respectful, be also respectful about his name.

Thank you Sky F1. RIP Roland

Rest in Peace, Roland 🕊

I’m a Senna fan, I watched my hero die before my eyes 30 years ago tomorrow, but I never forget Roland. R.I.P Roland, you will never be forgotten.

@solracer66

2 ай бұрын

Were you at the race? We couldn't see that part of the track from our seats and thus didn't know what happened until we got back to my friends house in Maranello (he worked for Ferrari F1 but as a computer programmer) that evening.

@4637812648

2 ай бұрын

If anything, Senna's death prevents Ratzenberger from being forgotten. Few remember Riccardo Paletti, who was a driver of similar stature. Sky Sports F1 posted this, and nothing for Senna.

Class act from you guys at Sky Sports to upload this documentary on Roland. He has been somewhat overshadowed by Senna, which is understandable, but he should never be forgotten. Both hero drivers had a crucial influence on the current safety of F1. Senna Siempre and never forget Ratzenberger

@govand7

Ай бұрын

If Senna hadn’t died that same weekend, most people wouldn’t even know who Ratzenberger was

About time we had a proper documentary about Roland

@ashmillermotorsport

2 ай бұрын

Search on KZread a recent docu-series by Levay Film Production - excellent in-depth doco on Roland!

I remember Ratzenberger in BTCC for a few races in 1988 and it was clear that even in Alan Minshawe's private M3 over the satellite-works Prodrive cars of Sytner and Smith, he was an amazing talent.

Rest in peace Roland, you are part of F1 history, and you will never be forgotten. 🙏🏻

He was such a likable guy RIP Roland you will never be forgotten.

I was there as a boy with my Dad. We were literally a few metres away from where Roland crashed and the next day we were spectating on the corner where Senna crashed, two of my worst memories ever. I still occasionally have nightmares after all these years later about what I saw. RIP Roland & Senna ❤

@solracer66

2 ай бұрын

I'm so happy that from our main straight seats we could not see either fatal crash though Ruben's non-fatal crash happened right in front of us.

@Travis1.980

2 ай бұрын

are u Italian? do u still attend the circuit?

@LeTon75

2 ай бұрын

@@Travis1.980 no British, my dad worked for a broadcasting company back then.

@Travis1.980

2 ай бұрын

​@@LeTon75 awesome experiences u might have had over the years. But that weekend one was dark and I still cannot forget those days. Words of a Brazilian here.

@LuzDoSol-hk4zn

2 ай бұрын

​@@Travis1.980eu sou brasileira. Esperei 30 anos para realizar meu grande desejo de ir deixar flores nas curvas onde aconteceram os acidentes. Fui agora, dia 01° de maio e fiquei muito comovida.

really good doco about Roland. Often he's remembered as 'the other guy who died the same weekend Senna was lost' but this really humanises his journey and life. He had family, friends and was just a young man doing what he loved in pursuit of his goal. Glad he managed to live that dream. Loved the little stories shared too. RIP Roland.

Roland Ratzenberger died achieving his dream. Not many get to achieve their dream before they die. His death will forever be overshadowed by what happened the day after his death but he will also never be forgotten because of it. R.I.P. Roland, you were an incredible talent, lost way too soon. Thank you for the respectful and tasteful tribute.

I used to transport Gatmo engines between Germany and the UK. Roland was working there and I helped him in a Formula Ford at a test session at a circuit in Germany the name of which I can't remember. He came back with me in the van to the UK. A truly great guy.

Always thought it to be a beautiful gesture that Max Mosley went to Roland’s funeral, because he knew nobody’d from the paddock would come due to Senna’s passing. And he thought that just wouldn’t do.

@chrishall2211

2 ай бұрын

Johnny Herbert was there then flew straight to Brazil for Senna's funeral

@walover165

2 ай бұрын

But that was not true. Herbert and Berger flew straight from Senna's funeral to Ratzenberger's, and David Brabham went too.

@r7coo

2 ай бұрын

Berger & Herbert went to both , most drivers (f1) didn't

@LuzDoSol-hk4zn

2 ай бұрын

Eu li um comentário em algum lugar dizendo que a família de Ayrton Senna pediu a Max Mosley que, gentilmente, não comparecesse ao funeral de Senna. Não sei se procede essa informação.

Well done to sky for producing this man, poor Roland doesn't get enough recognition

@audreyperrin320

2 ай бұрын

No he does not because he was not a world champion

@SteveT-0

2 ай бұрын

@@audreyperrin320 that doesn't matter, he was still a human being, he deserves to be remembered.

@audreyperrin320

2 ай бұрын

@@SteveT-0 yes he does that's what I said they never talk about him just because he was not a world champion

@chumleyk

2 ай бұрын

On the contrary, Senna's reaction to Roland's death and his death the day after has made sure that everyone remembers Roland more than he would have been without Senna. Even the F1 pros in this video could barely remember the '82 F1 death.

@LuzDoSol-hk4zn

2 ай бұрын

​@@chumleyk antes eu pensava o contrário mas hoje eu penso exatamente igual a você. Quem lembra do dia 01° de maio, lembra-se também do dia 30 de abril.

Max Mosley got a lot of criticism over the years- But I was so impressed he went to Roland's funeral instead of Senna's. He said later "Roland had been forgotten. So, I went to his funeral because everyone went to Senna's. I thought it was important that somebody went to his."

@MrSniperfox29

2 ай бұрын

Maybe if Mosely hadn't forced through the regulation changes so quickly and actually, you know, given the teams time to prepare for them then we would have had two less people dead.

A truly tragic weekend in motorsport. Thank you for producing this, RIP Roland.

Thank you for remembering him.

RIP Roland Ratzenberger. 30 years ago we lost him, but never will be forgotten

I still have that qually and race on tape, can't watch it but can't throw it away for some reason. RIP Roland!

I can still see the barely contained smile on his face when he talked about his long awaited chance to get into Formula One after years of racing to a high standard in Japan: "I had five very good years in Japan, and I'm very happy to be in Formula One. If you have any opportunity in Formula One, you take it, whatever you're doing at the time. It is the top, it's what everyone is aiming for, so I'm very happy to do it," Although nobody in motorsport thinks about the possibility of their own mortality, they certainly don't want to die, I'm sure that if Roland could have chosen a way to go, it would be at the wheel of an F1 car. I'm sure, despite the slow pace of the Simtek S941, he died happy

Nice to see a tribute to the usually forgotten driver lost during that sad and depressing Imola GP. RIP Ratzenberger,Senna and all the ones before them.

Never forgotten indeed. This man's sacrifice has without any shadow of doubt, saved many a life since. We miss you Roland...

It was such a sad weekend that never should have happened... 3 devastating events... Because Ayrton had been a World Champ, Ayrtons story gets recognised, yet not a lot is said about Rolands Loss... Someone summed it up well: the parents in Salzberg were as devastated as the parents in Sao Paulo.... RIP ROLAND... 30 YEARS TODAY....🙏

@LuzDoSol-hk4zn

2 ай бұрын

Sou brasileira e sempre pensei na dor dos pais de Ratzenberg. Fui à Imola este ano e eles estavam lá. Deixei flores nas curvas Tamburello e Villeneuve.

Thank you for putting this video together. Rest in Pole Position Roland.

RIP Roland and Senna! Two amazing drivers lost on one tragic weekend.

I remember watching the qualifying and seeing the accident on TV as I was 19 years old and it bought tears to my eyes.

Ratty has never got the recognition he truly deserves. genius driver with a natural talent many other drivers do not possess, RIP Ratzenberger.

A lovely little film, thanks so much to all involved for putting this together. Roland may not have had the chance to show how good he could have been as a Formula One driver, but it's good to see that he clearly showed - far more importantly - how good he could be as a human.

The story at 11:00 what a legend. RIP

@RBenjo21

2 ай бұрын

The “television crew girl” in question is allegedly Davina McCall!

@davifernandeslima01

2 ай бұрын

@@RBenjo21 wow she was a hottie

@Chris-sm2uj

2 ай бұрын

the pic right after

30 years ago, still can't believe what happened at Imola. Thank goodness F1 cars are safer than ever... still the best sport to watch...

@OK-fi3is

2 ай бұрын

MotoGP is the best sport to watch☝️

Some great stories, i smiled so much at the first class upgrade. RIP Roland.

Lovely tribute. Thank you Sky Sports F1. Remember that desolate weekend as if it were last weekend. Crazy to think it was 30 years ago. RIP Roland and Ayrton, you are both much missed.

That was Beautiful 🙌🏻 RIP Ratzenberger. beautifully put together Doco too

Second time I've watched this and I have to say I welled up at the end again.Never ever forgotten Roland❤

They never should have run Imola '94 after Ratzenberger. Never forget that Rubens Barrichello almost lost his life at the same race, apparently he still has no memories of the accident he had that weekend.

@audreyperrin320

2 ай бұрын

If it was today I don't think they would have raced if they had the halo they might be alive today

@MarcelR.-lg1dc

2 ай бұрын

@@audreyperrin320 Halo wouldnt have done a thing in Rolands case, its the highest to date measured impact in motorsport with over 500 G measured

@fizalrahman9644

2 ай бұрын

Imagine being barrichello today yesterday and tomorrow

@irenedemarco1354

2 ай бұрын

@@fizalrahman9644 Rueben was Ayrtons protégé... and Ayrton had deep respect for Roland.... Was such a tragedy....

@MrSniperfox29

2 ай бұрын

@@audreyperrin320 Halo would not have prevented a Basilar skull fracture which is one of the multiple things that killed him.

Loving this tribute, as well as the docu series. About time Roland got some love As David said he was human ,he was a racing driver, he was living the dream, and he died whilst doing it. Us , the fans , will never EVER forget him. We should't. And we won''t. R.I.P. Roland , we love you ❤

Thanks for this video about Roland, may we never forget Roland ❤️

Thank you Sky for this wonderful tribute. Hearing the stories coming out had me in fits of laughter but ultimately and sadly with tears. He really is terribly missed by more people than we know. What a character he was. RIP Roland. Always missed, never forgotten ❤

Between this and The Last Teammate, both wonderful tributes to Roland's determination and will to achieve his dream.

Great to see a piece done about Roland, so often forgotten about. Well done to all who put it together.

RIP Ratzy! Senna gets all the attention for that awful weekend, but Razty was the underdog. Big things were in front of Ratzy. RIP RATZY!

Wonderful Job Sky Sports. So glad I watched this. I knew a little about Ratzenberger but far less than he deserved, I happened to be in Montreal when Peletti was killed on the grid of his second race. I went beck to the 60's as a fan so in one way it looked like the horror fiery crashes with the plume of black smoke in so many pictures.Thanks to Jackie Stewart newer fans didn't live with the old time carnage. I remember when Ratzenberger was killed vividley. But the next day my blood ran cold when Senna's accident was announced. I had never felt like that before. Just a unique horrible day as a long time F1 fan. ."Older" fans who love the sport won't forget Ratzenberger. Thanks gain -- good work!

Thank you Sky for this beautiful documentary about Roland. RIP Roland

That was a wonderful tribute, thank you for sharing it. Godspeed, Roland.

Tastefully done. It was a shocking weekend and his sad death was overshadowed by the similarly tragic death of Ayrton Senna. It was nice to learn so much more about Roland.

Great documentary of a wonderful man. Thank you Sky F1

Knew of him but didn't know much about him so this was a good watch

The first I heard of him was when he was racing touring cars. Murray Walker was commentating and announced Roland in his inimitable way ; " ...and YES that IS his real name!...."

This is one of the best documentaries I have seen. In such a short amount of time, I have been introduced to so much about Roland. I always remember him whenever the topic of that awful weekend is brought up because he deserves to be remembered. Senna thought so when they found the Austrian flag in his car. Race in Paradise, Roland.

A insightful and heartfelt documentary with people who raced with Roland, thank you.

10:44 Roland you absolute legend 😂. Definitely one of the lads. Definitely enjoyed life to the end

@SteveT-0

2 ай бұрын

Way to go Roland. haha good lad!

@Chris-sm2uj

2 ай бұрын

the pic right after

Great documentary, Sky. Thank you. Rest in peace, Roland and all the other young men who lost their lives driving in the sport we love.

Gone but never forgotten. Rest easy Roland

Describing the night before as a test debrief. Brilliant

I was at Tosa for the 30th anniversary. During the Senna memorial I made sure to insert a couple "Remember Roland Ratzenberger!" calls (at respectful places) that received more than a smattering of applause. Trust me, in Imola, Roland Ratzenberger is quite well remembered. On the via towards the track there are three flower beds. One for Senna, one for Ratzenberger and one for both.

@LuzDoSol-hk4zn

2 ай бұрын

Eu também estive lá neste dia e deixei flores nas duas curvas.

A beautiful film. Well done Sky, a wonderful tribute

Not forgotten Roland. Thanks for the Vid, really good work.

Very inspirational to hear more about him, how he achieved his dream after so long. Rest in peace 🙏🏻

Those of us who love what i call the golden age of f1 will never forget Roland i have no doubt had that fateful day not happened he would of gone on to become a star of f1 maybe not champion but definitely a star

What TV should be doing all the time! I always remember the surprise in first learning that another driver died the day before Senna and always wondered why we don’t know more about him. So 👏 👏 SSF1

It’s been 30 years, but it still feels like yesterday. What a nice tribute to a driver who lived his dream, being overshadowed by the dead of my childhood hero Senna. I admit I’ve forgotten a bit what happened to him, until recently years when I read or saw his story (can’t remember). Sky sports in one word, just wow 👏🏻👏🏻

Thanks for this respectful doc. RR unforgotten.

The many photos I see of Ratzenberger without his helmet on he has a nice big smile on his face in most of them and a few on show here. True F1 fans who still look back at that horrible black weekend still remember him now ❤🤍❤

People forget he was a bloody good driver. He may not have become a grand prix winner, but he'd have been a good solid tester for a top team. Might have even won Le Mans as well given he was due to drive for the Toyota team that ended up with a shout that year.

truly appreciate this documentary on Roland on this auspicious 30th anniversary.

30 years ago today, I always remember Roland Ratzenberger on 30th April. May he rest in peace!

Thank you. Roland should be remembered, too. What a sad weekend that was.

Incredible story- rest in peace ❤

Very respectful tributet and well deserved... He sounded like an incredible guy.. I''m glad he got to feel being an F1 driver.... So sad though....

I watched live...i watched senna shook up so much then for what was to follow the next day🇮🇪

R.I.P. Roland we miss you. You made it to F1

Nicely done Sky Sports F1. Love & Peace ✌

Top class - this is a great documentary

Well done to Sky for putting this together.

Really excellent work, thankyou.

Well done for remembering the forgotten man …… great work ❤

Never thought i'd say this, but thank you Sky. Best thing you've done for a long while.

Fly well, Roland.

He must NOT be forgotten.

Never forgotten. I think a lot of people seem to kinda forget about his passing due to what happened the following day. Rest in peace Roland 🇦🇹 and of course Ayrton 🇧🇷

What a nice bunch of lads of the Simtek team, makes you want to have some beers with all of them, especially Roland. That would surely be a night to remember. There is no doubt - despite standing somewhat in the shadow Sennas tragic passing - Roland will never be forgotten, never.

@westboundbadger

2 ай бұрын

I have had a few beers with them,..Well to be honest i was one of them !

@nutzernameba

2 ай бұрын

@@westboundbadger Cheers mate! I would certainly be curious to hear some stories.

@westboundbadger

2 ай бұрын

@@nutzernameba There was a legendary engine man we named Captain Haddock,..Scottish guy with a big black beard (hence the nickname),...No one could keep up with him when it came to drinking but he really excelled one evening!,..All seemed fine early next morning as he went through the procedure of starting the cars up,..Laptop,..temps,sensors all that good stuff,..went to the second car did the same,..Then went back to the first car thinking it was the spare car,..We did not have a spare car!!...Sadly it was noticed and his company did not send him out again !

Yes, remembering Roland. Such a terribly sad loss.

Thank you for this.

The fact is that Ayrton was going to pay tribute to him after the race with the Austrian Flag, but unfortunately Ayrton Suffered the Same Fate as Roland which as you guys said has Shifted the story to Senna's death. I feel Happy that Roland Achieved his Dream just before his passing is absolutely incredible. He's also Equally as Great as Senna. RIP Roland and Senna

Touching piece. ❤

RIP Roland never ever forgotten.

Great video. Thank you.

Still breaks my heart 30 years on.

Great tribute.

Well done Sky. My thoughts are with Roland.

Such a dark weekend but as a 8 year old I never knew death I remember Sunday like it was yesterday RIP to both

I was devasted by Roalnd's death at Imola. I had watched him race in European Touring cars ealy in his career and he was awesome. To then lose Ayrton the following day was just tragic. Two great GP drivers lost in one weekend. Very sad!

Nice to remember ! RIP Roland

Roland Ratzenberger's name will forever be connected with Aryton Senna so he will never be forgotten. Unlike Senna accident, im glad i wasn't watching qualifying live, what happened to Roland is much harder to watch 😢 Driving at full speed not knowing the front wing was broken wouldn't happen today. I'm sure his family and friends are proud of what he achieved. Rest easy Roland 🏁🏎️

RIP Roland a true racer ❤ never forgotten