Vettel to drive Senna’s McLaren MP4/8 at the Emilia-Romagna GP

30 years on from the Brazilian icon’s fatal accident at Imola, Sebastian Vettel will fittingly pay tribute to Ayrton Senna by driving the triple world champion’s McLaren MP4/8 during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend.

Despite much speculation of the four-time world champion returning to Formula 1 following an endurance test with Porsche, Sebastian Vettel will be back behind the wheel of an F1 car in Imola, however, this time to pay tribute to a true legend of the sport.

Vettel will be on track in the 1993 McLaren, a car which he privately owns, for a few demo laps on the Sunday. 

“Ayrton Senna was not only a driver who I valued highly for being one of the best racing has ever seen, but also a man of great compassion,” said Vettel.

“It’s been 30 years since his accident and I would like to pay tribute to Ayrton.

“I will be in Imola for the Grand Prix to drive his car, the McLaren MP4/8.

“I hope to see you on Sunday, May 19.”

The MP4/8 was McLaren’s first car since engine supplier Honda departured the team in 1992.

Despite the underpowered Ford V8 customer engine, Senna still took the fight to the dominant Williams-Renault commandeered by Alain Prost.

In the McLaren, Senna secured five wins to place second in the championship, including an iconic performance in the wet at Donington’s European Grand Prix which ended in a victory hailed one of his best.

Along with the MP4/8, Vettel has also acquired Nigel Mansell’s 1992 Williams FW14B and has driven both cars on multiple occasions since his retirement in 2022. 

Namely, the cars would have been seen at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed last year where he continued his environmental advocation as he ran the cars using carbon-neutral biofuels.

Vettel has also tested the 1992 Williams around Silverstone.

The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is next after Miami, running across May 17, 18 and 19. 

READ THE FULL SIX PAGE SPECIAL FEATURE ABOUT MORE UNTOLD AYRTON SENNA STORIES HERE

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