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Unbeknown to anyone at the time the front wing had been weakened. On the next lap approaching the flat-out Villeneuve curve the wing gave way under the pressure of the immense downforce produced at 200 mph. Lodging itself under the front wheels Roland was immediately robbed of any steering. The Simtek carried straight on before ploughing into an unprotected concrete wall. TV stations around the globe broadcast live pictures as the pathetic wreckage ground to a halt. The medical crew arrived quickly but, despite frantic efforts, Roland was pronounced dead on arrival at Maggiore Hospital in Bologna. Also present at the crash site was Ayrton Senna, who had commandeered an official car after the seeing the accident in his pit garage. Senna had to be led away, inconsolable, by his great friend and Grand Prix doctor, Professor Sid Watkins. It would later emerge that, before the race, Senna had seriously considered his future in the sport.

Roland had been due to compete at Le Mans for Toyota in 1994. Out of respect, the Japanese firm did not remove his name from the cockpit. At the remaining Formula 1 races the devastated Simtek team carried 'For Roland' on their airboxes. Many of todays fans will be unfamiliar with the name of Roland Ratzenberger, but his death, and that of Ayrton Senna, are still remembered today in other ways. Crash protection at circuits is much improved as is the strength of the cars, a direct result of that terrible weekend. He is remembered in the racing community as cheerful and easygoing off the track, but a determined competitor on it. Despite his death it cannot change the fact that the history books will show, 'Roland Ratzenberger: Formula 1 driver.' He would have wanted that.

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