Intro:

Mass in memorial for Senna and Ratzenberger is held at Imola.

Script:

Twenty years ago, the Imola circuit saw the two tragic deaths of Formula one drivers Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger.

On Wednesday, hundreds gathered on the circuit again, this time for a memorial mass in honour of their two fallen heroes.

The drivers died 24 hours from each other during the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994 and their deaths left a lasting impression on racing fans and forced the Formula One industry to implement better safety measures.

Both Senna and Ratzenberger were 34 when they died, but were at different moments in their careers.

Roland made it to the Formula One level the same year he was killed. He died on April the 30th, one day before Senna.

Celebrating the mass was Father Sergio Mantovani.

He remembers the day Brazilian driver, Senna lost control of his car and hit a concrete retainer at 145 mph. The impact killed him almost instantly.

SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Sergio Mantovani, priest

"He wasn't at peace that day. He felt something was wrong, though I don't know what he was feeling. In fact, some reporters that day, asked him, 'how come you are so serious.' He replied, 'I'll tell you after the race.' He was never able to tell us. I was also very touched that they found inside his racing suit, a note reading, "nobody can take away the love that God has for me."

Senna took home the Formula One title three times during his career. He began karting but made it to Formula One at the age of 24. To this day, he is considered by many, as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.