Saturday April 24th, 2004
Senna Tributes
Tributes have been paid throughout the weekend to Ayrton Senna on the 10th anniversary of the Brazilian's death. A DVD of Senna's career - titled 'An Official Tribute to Senna' has been released at Imola by EMI, while Minardi have carried the Brazilian flag and the word Saudade - meaning missing you - on the side of their cars. The word Saudade was translated into a song entitled 'Missing You' by Chris Rea soon after Senna died during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Jordan, meanwhile, have a picture of Senna on the engine cover of their cars.
The Instituto Ayrton Senna, which aims to help poor children in Brazil get an education and improve their lives, are also present in Imola this weekend. The Instituto, who make alliances with companies rather than ask individuals for money, have cars in Imola sporting logos to raise awareness about the institution and the purposes it serves. Senna himself set up the Ayrton Senna Foundation, which also raises money to help eradicate poverty in his homeland, and is now run by his sister Viviane.
Imola Fans' Message
Fans at the Imola circuit to watch Friday's practice sessions sent a message to Formula One ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone with a specially made poster. Ecclestone has said that this year will be the last Grand Prix the ageing circuit will host, but spectators thought otherwise. The message, displayed on the start-finish straight, read: "Bernie: Imola...looking forward to seeing you at GP 2005" with a big red heart behind the words, written on white canvas.
Hit in the Pocket
BAR-Honda may have enjoyed success in qualifying at Imola when Jenson Button led Takuma Sato in the times, but the Friday session had proved remarkably costly for the Brackley-based team. Test driver Anthony Davidson presumably had a moment of lapse in concentration when he was caught speeding in the pitlane two minutes into the session and fined $500. Teammate Sato was then hit with a $2000 punishment after posting a speed of 67.6km/h down the pitlane 18 minutes later. The Japanese driver was then hit in the pocket again 12 minutes later with a $500 fine to cap an expensive half-hour for BAR. Thankfully, Button knew where hit speed limiter was. Jaguar's Bjorn Wirdheim was also caught out and given a $500 fine for over eagerness in the pitlane.
Published at 15:39:46 GMT
(03-11-2005): 
