Ayrton Senna's monument vandalized, statue remains intact
It has emerged that the Ayrton Senna monument that is located at the Tamburello corner at the Autodromo di Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola has been damaged by some acts of vandalism.
On the 1st of May 1994, Brazilian Formula One driver Ayrton Senna was killed after his car crashed into a concrete barrier while he was leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at the Imola Circuit in Italy.
To commemorate the brilliant driver from Sao Paulo, a life-sized sculpture was created by artist Stefano Pierotti, located in the Parco Acque Minerali at the Autodromo. There are dozens of banners on the fences that separate the track from the parc, with all of them left there by fans from all over the world.
The Italian newspaper Il Resto del Carlino reported that the monument has been damaged by vandalism. Although the sculpture was not damaged, it has been reported that some memorabilia and flag have been burnt.
The Bologna-based outlet reported that there were two separate incidents, with the first having taken place on December 19, and the second on Christmas Day. According to the report, several young people entered the park at night—despite a mayoral ordinance prohibiting it—to drink alcohol before heading to a night club.
The City of Imola condemned the incident with a statement: “The municipal administration condemns the acts of damage inflicted on some of the commemorative items left by people near the Ayrton Senna monument.
"These items are a significant heritage for the city, symbolizing the love, affection, and esteem with which the champion is remembered, a figure to whom the city is deeply and emotionally connected.”
