THEY DIDN'T DIE IN VAIN

Imola tragedies helped make F1 safer says Hill

- Daniel Moxon

AS Damon Hill strapped himself into his Williams for the restart of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, he had no idea his team-mate Ayrton Senna was dead.

He knew it was the Brazilian who had suffered a horrifying crash at high speed, seven laps into the Imola race, held 30 years ago this week.

But neither Hill nor any of his fellow drivers knew at the time the suspension on Senna's car had penetrated his helmet.

The three-time world champion, aged just 34, most likely died instantly.

And just as quickly, in only his second full season as a Williams driver, Hill was thrust into the role of Williams team leader while still dealing with his own grief.