02.05.94

Motor racing's governing body, the FIA, has ordered an inquiry into the tragic events at Imola. The deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at the San Marino GP will be dealt with at an emergency meeting on Wednesday. Senna had expressed his own safety concerns about Formula One racing after controversial rule changes brought in by the FIA this year. The Imola circuit has been closed following a court order to prevent visitors and reporters going to the track and hampering the inquiry. Italian magistrates have ordered post-mortems on Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger after their tragic deaths at Imola. Brazilian diplomats had hoped to fly Senna's body home but said they would be unable to do so until later in the week. Italian authorities announced the decision in a statement. Both drivers' cars and all available film of the accidents have been confiscated.

The FIA, motor sport's governing body, has defended the rule changes they introduced to encourage more competitive Formula One racing. A spokesman refuted claims that the new regulations put drivers at risk and added that the Imola circuit had passed stringent safety checks. The FIA ordered a reduction in the number of electronic aids in cars, notably in the suspension area. Ayrton Senna was among many unhappy with the changes and said this year: "We'll be lucky if something really serious doesn't happen."

Ayrton Senna was having problems with the handling of his car, according to a newspaper interview published the morning of his death. Previewing the San Marino GP for a German publication, he said: "My car reacts a bit nervously on this kind of race surface. "This stems from its special aerodynamics but it's also got to do with a difficulty in the suspension," the Brazilian wrote. It is not yet clear what caused Senna to lose control on lap seven and smash into a concrete barrier.

Frank Williams has said that his team will carry on despite Ayrton Senna's fatal crash on Sunday. "We are a grand prix team committed to the sport and will continue our work, which I am sure is what Ayrton would have wanted," he said. Williams added that the cause of the crash was still a mystery before paying a tribute. "Ayrton's loss is impossible to quantify. We will all remember him with respect, admiration and affection. I hope our future achievements will be an honour to his memory."

Ayrton Senna's tragic death has left former Formula One rival Nigel Mansell in a state of shock. He said: "Ayrton and I shared some of the most exciting races ever staged and it is impossible to put into words what a sad loss this is to motor racing. "I was stunned after Roland Ratzenberger was killed and for Ayrton to lose his life the next day makes it a very black weekend. "There will not be a driver in the world who will not be deeply affected by this terrible news."

British F3 Championship leader Jan Magnussen continued to dominate as he won both races of a double header at Silverstone. The Paul Stewart Racing driver led from the start and was not seriously challenged throughout.

Frank Lagorce won the Formula 3000 Autosport International Trophy at Silverstone in his Reynard Cosworth. Lagorce finished in a time of 1 hr, 1 min, 56.79 secs, more than four seconds ahead of teammate David Coulthard. Gil de Ferran was third in the Reynard Zytek Judd.

03.05.94

Italian prosecutors have told the managing director of the Imola race track he is under investigation after the deaths at the weekend. Federico Bendinelli was informed that he is under suspicion of culpable homicide after the tragic crashes of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at the San Marino GP. Under Italian law, suspects in any inquiry must be told they are under investigation but this does not mean charges will definitely follow. Notices may also be sent to team officials at Williams.

The Williams team has said any theories from any source as to the cause of Ayrton Senna's accident are pure speculation. The car the Brazilian was driving when he crashed at the San Marino Grand Prix is impounded in Italy and until a thorough investigation is completed no comment can be made. The FIA is gathering reports from its technical, medical, safety and supervisory staff. They will then determine whether additional safety measures will need to be introduced.

FIA president Max Mosley defended the sport of Formula 1 motor racing as the inquests into the two deaths at Imola last weekend began. "It's no more dangerous or safer than it was a week ago," he said. "You can never be happy unless it's completely safe. It's still not safe and arguably never will be."

"The so-called drivers' aids had nothing to do with the accidents," he added. "Of the 12 years we've had without any fatalities on the track, 10 of those have been without the aids."

05.05.94

Alain Prost and Damon Hill were amongst those who attended Ayrton Senna's funeral in Sao Paulo. Four-time world champion Prost, one of Senna's bitterest rivals, joined Hill as part of the Renault-Sport official delegation. Emerson Fittipaldi, Jackie Stewart, Gerhard Berger and Christian Fittipaldi were among those who carried the coffin. Senna, who won the world crown three times, was killed in a 190mph crash at the San Marino Grand Prix, Imola last Sunday.

07.05.94

Ayrton Senna may have died due to a fault with his car, Formula One team boss Frank Williams is reported to have said. A Brazilian newspaper has carried a story based on remarks allegedly made by Williams to Senna's brother at the driver's funeral this week. Williams had said that theories are pure speculation at this stage. But Leonardo Senna claimed: "Frank Williams told me that the car was hitting the ground more than normal...only a mechanical problem could have caused such a crash."

08.05.94

Jan Magnussen took victory in a gripping seventh round of the British Formula Three Championship at Brands Hatch. His narrow win over Paul Stewart Racing team mate Dario Franchitti extends his series lead over Vincent Radermecker who came third.

JAPANESE F3000: Britain's Andrew Gilbert-Scott raced superbly at the Mine Circuit to maintain his challenge in the Japan F3000 series. He finished second to Italian Marco Apicella to stay just three points behind him in the series standings.

09.05.94

The Rothmans Williams Renault team will only enter one car at the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend as a mark of respect to Ayrton Senna. Damon Hill will be sole team driver at Monte Carlo, though Williams have yet to decide what their plans will be for the next race at Spain. A Williams statement about Senna's crash reads: "An intensive study of the available data has not revealed a system or component failure. However, investigations continue and they would be greatly assisted by access to the impounded car."

The FIA have decided that the front row of the grid will be vacant at this weekend's Monaco GP as a mark of respect to Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger. The leading qualifier will start the race from the normal grid place for the third fastest driver. Management consultants Barbara MC have agreed a new sponsorship deal with the British Simtek team in memory of Roland Ratzenberger. The Monaco-based company were the Austrian's personal sponsors before his death at San Marino.

10.05.94

Damon Hill has called for action to reduce the dangers of Grand Prix racing after the death of Williams teammate Ayrton Senna. He said in a Daily Mail article that the structure of cars was such that drivers were unable to survive the shock of high-speed crashes. "Drivers will drive in the most perilous conditions because competition is stupendously fierce and there are any number of hopefuls ready to fill the void." Williams have still not discovered the cause of Senna's crash at Imola.

Jean Alesi has threatened to pull out of the Belgian Grand Prix in August unless the Spa circuit is changed to improve safety.

11.05.94

Ayrton Senna may have been killed by a freak blow from his car's front wheel, FIA president Max Mosley has said. In a letter to The Times, he said there was a "strong suspicion" that a blow from the detached wheel and suspension has caused the tragedy. Both right hand wheels were ripped off Senna's Williams when it hit a wall at the Imola circuit. Constructors boss Bernie Ecclestone says in the newspaper that Senna was the victim of a "bloody fluke."

Ferrari driver Gerhard Berger will take part in this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix after deciding not to retire from the sport. There had been intense speculation that he might quit the sport after the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at San Marino. But he told a news conference that he still loved racing and would continue unless things didn't feel right during the qualifying laps. Berger will chair a drivers' meeting on Thursday to discuss safety standards in the sport.

Australian GP officials have commemorated triple world champion Ayrton Senna by naming part of the Adelaide circuit in his honour. A chicane at the end of the pit straight has been been named after Senna, who was killed at the San Marino Grand Prix on May 1.

12.05-15.05.94 - Monaco Grand Prix

13.05.94

Giancario Fisichella took pole position for Saturday's Monaco Grand Prix in his Opel ahead of Joerg Muller's Dallara.

Championship leaders Benetton have taken over rivals Ligier but both will continue to race independantly during the 1994 season. Benetton boss Flavio Briatore said he had guaranteed the future of the Ligier team, whose activities will continue to be based in France. He said he would focus on offering "greater stability" and providing Ligier with a "more advanced technical programme." It is not yet known whether the move will mean any driver changes in the Ligier team.

15.05.94

Karl Wendlinger remained in a deep coma in a stable condition as the Monaco Grand Prix got underway. The Sauber driver is still unconscious after smashing into chicane barriers during free practice on Thursday morning. Norbert Haug, head of Mercedes Benz who supply Sauber's engines, had earlier said: "We have good reason to believe he will soon be okay." The Sauber-Mercedes team decided to pull out of the race following Wendlinger's accident in practice.

16.05.94

Martin Brundle has voiced his concern over the package of changes to be introduced to make Formula One safer. The Briton, who finished second in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, is worried the changes could make the cars more difficult to drive. "If we are fundamentally changing the car to go to the next race with an unknown quantity it does not strike me as particularly safe," said the Marlboro McLaren driver. Others have also expressed concern over the proposed changes.

Drivers, engineers and team officials have agreed to accept the first set of safety changes imposed by the FIA. A "unanimous agreement" was reached after a seven hour meeting in Monaco on the new regulations, to take effect at next race in Spain. But no decision was forthcoming on the more significant changes due to be phased in beginning with the Canadian GP on June 12. The changes for Barcelona will reduce speeds by cutting the cars' downforce by 15 per cent.

17.05.94

Jordan have rejected an inquiry from Williams about their Brazilian driver Rubens Barrichello. Williams are believed to have approached the Northamptonshire-based Formula One team before last weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. A spokeswoman for Jordan says the request was firmly rejected. Barrichello, in his second season of Formula One racing, is currently third in the drivers' championship.

Doctors will this week try to bring Karl Wendlinger out of his controlled coma. The 25-year-old Austrian suffered serious head injuries last Thursday in a crash during the Monaco Grand Prix. A Team Sauber spokesman said his current condition was stable and the process of bringing him out of the coma was due to begin. The spokesman added: "His progress is generally encouraging."

18.05.94

Austrian driver Karl Wendlinger, who sustained serious head injuries at Monaco, is being gradually brought out of his controlled coma. A Team Sauber spokesman said that the process of bringing Wendlinger round "progresses as planned" in a Nice hospital. The statement added: "Wendlinger is being woken up slowly over several days by reducing his medications. Further prognoses are not possible in the present stages."

20.05.94

Williams will not be announcing the identity of Damon Hill's new teammamte until next Thursday. An announcement on the identity of the driver to fill Ayrton Senna's seat was expected on Friday. But a spokeswoman said boss Frank Williams had not yet made up his mind and a press conference is scheduled in Barcelona next week. Team test driver David Coulthard tests for the team at Jerez, in Spain, this weekend.

A Belgian politician is threatening to ban the August Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps if more safety measures are not adopted there. Interior Minister Louis Tobback said: "If no effort is made in the coming weeks to improve security, the race will not take place." The circuit is one of the fastest in Formula One and track official Andre Maes said race organisers are working on improving safety. Authorities in Italy say they are happy with the Monza circuit and Italian Grand Prix will go ahead.

Formula One manufacturers have drawn up new engine regulations intended to reduce speed and improve driver safety. The decision was taken at a meeting of all the leading engine suppliers including Ford, Renault and Yamaha at the Ferrari HQ in Italy. A Ferrari spokesman said the exact details of the proposals could not be disclosed at this stage. But they have been forwarded to FIA president Max Mosley.

Jordan Grand Prix team have joined forces with windscreen specialists Glass Medic in a sponsorship deal.

Austrian Karl Wendliger is still in a deep coma after sustaining head injuries in a crash during practice for the Monaco Grand Prix. An attempt to bring Wendliger out of his controlled coma was halted after a scan showed persistence of a brain swelling. The Formula One star is being kept under observation at the Nice Saint-Roch hospital. Dr Dominique Grimaud said: "The neurologial signs have slightly bettered but the patient is still in a critical condition."

22.05.94

Allan McNish, the Benetton Formula One test driver, will drive a Vortex Motorsport Reynard Cosworth in Monday's second round of the FIA Formula 3000 championship in France. It will be McNish's first race of the season.

23.05.94

The Williams team's major sponsors have played down newspaper claims that Nigel Mansell is set to return to Formula One. Williams have been searching for a new driver since Ayrton Senna was killed three weeks ago and Mansell has been linked with a comeback. But Rothmans International promotions manager David Beck said: "There is no pressure on the team to re-sign Nigel." Mansell is currently in his second year of racing with the Newman Haas Indy Car team in America.

24.05.94

Portuguese Formula One driver Pedro Lamy broke both knee-caps and a thigh in a crash at Silverstone. Lamy, 22, was taken to Northampton General Hospital by helicopter after receiving treatment at the scene of the crash - Abbey Curve. The car disintegrated in the crash, although Lamy's safety cell - the area surrounding the cockpit - appeared relatively intact. Lotus were testing modifications to their cars, aimed at reducing down-force and slowing their speeds.

25.05.94

Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell have voiced fears over the new "safer" cars they will race at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. The pair's concerns, expressed in Motoring News, come just 24 hours after Pedro Lamy was injured during testing at Silverstone. Tyrrell driver Blundell said he did not think the modified cars were any safer than before and were "a bit of a culture shock." Brundle called for a reduction in power to go with the changes which have reduced downforce by 25%.

Benetton-Ford have attacked the governing body of Formula One over changes being made to the sport. Managing Director Flavio Briatore said that the chances of an accident have increased under new rules designed to make racing safer. In an open letter to FIA President Max Mosley, Benetton-Ford have commented on changes introduced after the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger. Briatore says that initial tests show that the changes "will decrease car safety in the future."

Pedro Lamy is said to be in a stable condition in hospital following his crash at Silverstone on Tuesday. Lamy suffered very severe fractures and dislocation of both knees and a successful preliminary operation has been carried out. He is said to be in good spirits and is talking to his family who have arrived from Portugal. It is likely that he will be transferred to Portugal next week following a weekend operation on his right knee.

Simtek-Ford have named Andrea Montermini and Jean-Marc Gounon as the replacements for Roland Ratzenberger who died during qualifying for the San Marino GP. Sauber will enter only one driver in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix. The team have decided not to run a second car until Karl Wendlinger, critically injured during practice for the Monaco GP, is out of danger.

27.05-29.05.94 - Spanish Grand Prix

30.05.94

Dane Jan Magnussen stretched his British F3 championship lead to 62 points with his sixth win of the season in the eighth round at Thruxton

Massimilio Papis won the third round of the F3000 Championship in Barcelona, ahead of Fabrizio de Simone. Britain's Oliver Gavin retired after 10 of the 41-lap race.