Los Angeles, 2014 -- I was with my co-worker picking up computer equipment. At the front desk was a lovely young woman who greeted us. I noticed her last name, Ratzenberger. And as unlikely as I thought it would be, I had to ask: "I noticed your last name. This may sound silly, but you wouldn't happen to be related to Roland the F1 driver?" She paused with a very surprised look on her face and a moment later she said "Yes! He was my uncle. I was very young and he was gone a lot because of racing so I barely remember him but my family still miss him a lot". I was kinda shocked that she really was related to him and didn't know how to respond at first. I told her I watched the race that tragic weekend and was only 11 years old. I also said that Roland's death affected me and that the following day was one of the worst days of my childhood when Ayrton died. That whole weekend was weird being a kid and seeing all these accidents. She acknowledged how tragic that weekend was. Before I left, I shook her hand and said thank you for the chat. She was very nice and polite. The rest of my day was an inexplicable feeling. I guess having such a memorable event of your childhood and 20 years later to randomly meet a family member of the person who tragically died that weekend brought back all those memories and emotions in a more connected way, if that makes any sense. Kinda weird how us humans function and connect, isn't it? I'm very glad it happened though. I'm also glad that both drivers are still recognized every year after all this time. R.I.P Roland & Ayrton.

Best Ratzenberger documentary I've seen from a broadcaster; while Senna's story is known back to front by now, there's plenty to find out about Roland's journey to F1.

Respect to all the drivers who lost their lives in the name of safety in motorsports.

Ratsenburgers death is normally overshadowed because of senna but it’s was equally as sad

The ‘alright, mate’ had me.

Class act from you guys at Sky Sports to upload this documentary on Roland. He has been somewhat overshadowed by Senna, which is understandable, but he should never be forgotten. Both hero drivers had a crucial influence on the current safety of F1. Senna Siempre and never forget Ratzenberger

I’m a Senna fan, I watched my hero die before my eyes 30 years ago tomorrow, but I never forget Roland. R.I.P Roland, you will never be forgotten.

Thank you Sky F1. RIP Roland

Rest in Peace, Roland 🕊

really good doco about Roland. Often he's remembered as 'the other guy who died the same weekend Senna was lost' but this really humanises his journey and life. He had family, friends and was just a young man doing what he loved in pursuit of his goal. Glad he managed to live that dream. Loved the little stories shared too. RIP Roland.

He was such a likable guy RIP Roland you will never be forgotten.

About time we had a proper documentary about Roland

I was there as a boy with my Dad. We were literally a few metres away from where Roland crashed and the next day we were spectating on the corner where Senna crashed, two of my worst memories ever. I still occasionally have nightmares after all these years later about what I saw. RIP Roland & Senna ❤

I remember Ratzenberger in BTCC for a few races in 1988 and it was clear that even in Alan Minshawe's private M3 over the satellite-works Prodrive cars of Sytner and Smith, he was an amazing talent.

Roland Ratzenberger died achieving his dream. Not many get to achieve their dream before they die. His death will forever be overshadowed by what happened the day after his death but he will also never be forgotten because of it. R.I.P. Roland, you were an incredible talent, lost way too soon. Thank you for the respectful and tasteful tribute.

Always thought it to be a beautiful gesture that Max Mosley went to Roland’s funeral, because he knew nobody’d from the paddock would come due to Senna’s passing. And he thought that just wouldn’t do.

I used to transport Gatmo engines between Germany and the UK. Roland was working there and I helped him in a Formula Ford at a test session at a circuit in Germany the name of which I can't remember. He came back with me in the van to the UK. A truly great guy.

Well done to sky for producing this man, poor Roland doesn't get enough recognition

A truly tragic weekend in motorsport. Thank you for producing this, RIP Roland.

I still have that qually and race on tape, can't watch it but can't throw it away for some reason. RIP Roland!

I can still see the barely contained smile on his face when he talked about his long awaited chance to get into Formula One after years of racing to a high standard in Japan: "I had five very good years in Japan, and I'm very happy to be in Formula One. If you have any opportunity in Formula One, you take it, whatever you're doing at the time. It is the top, it's what everyone is aiming for, so I'm very happy to do it," Although nobody in motorsport thinks about the possibility of their own mortality, they certainly don't want to die, I'm sure that if Roland could have chosen a way to go, it would be at the wheel of an F1 car. I'm sure, despite the slow pace of the Simtek S941, he died happy

Max Mosley got a lot of criticism over the years- But I was so impressed he went to Roland's funeral instead of Senna's. He said later "Roland had been forgotten. So, I went to his funeral because everyone went to Senna's. I thought it was important that somebody went to his."

Rest in peace Roland, you are part of F1 history, and you will never be forgotten. 🙏🏻

Thank you for putting this video together. Rest in Pole Position Roland.

Thank you for remembering him.

RIP Roland and Senna! Two amazing drivers lost on one tragic weekend.

A lovely little film, thanks so much to all involved for putting this together. Roland may not have had the chance to show how good he could have been as a Formula One driver, but it's good to see that he clearly showed - far more importantly - how good he could be as a human.

Nice to see a tribute to the usually forgotten driver lost during that sad and depressing Imola GP. RIP Ratzenberger,Senna and all the ones before them.

Between this and The Last Teammate, both wonderful tributes to Roland's determination and will to achieve his dream.

RIP Roland Ratzenberger. 30 years ago we lost him, but never will be forgotten

Never forgotten indeed. This man's sacrifice has without any shadow of doubt, saved many a life since. We miss you Roland...

Thank you Sky for this wonderful tribute. Hearing the stories coming out had me in fits of laughter but ultimately and sadly with tears. He really is terribly missed by more people than we know. What a character he was. RIP Roland. Always missed, never forgotten ❤

Wonderful Job Sky Sports. So glad I watched this. I knew a little about Ratzenberger but far less than he deserved, I happened to be in Montreal when Peletti was killed on the grid of his second race. I went beck to the 60's as a fan so in one way it looked like the horror fiery crashes with the plume of black smoke in so many pictures.Thanks to Jackie Stewart newer fans didn't live with the old time carnage. I remember when Ratzenberger was killed vividley. But the next day my blood ran cold when Senna's accident was announced. I had never felt like that before. Just a unique horrible day as a long time F1 fan. ."Older" fans who love the sport won't forget Ratzenberger. Thanks gain -- good work!

Lovely tribute. Thank you Sky Sports F1. Remember that desolate weekend as if it were last weekend. Crazy to think it was 30 years ago. RIP Roland and Ayrton, you are both much missed.

That was Beautiful 🙌🏻 RIP Ratzenberger. beautifully put together Doco too

Some great stories, i smiled so much at the first class upgrade. RIP Roland.

30 years ago, still can't believe what happened at Imola. Thank goodness F1 cars are safer than ever... still the best sport to watch...

Loving this tribute, as well as the docu series. About time Roland got some love As David said he was human ,he was a racing driver, he was living the dream, and he died whilst doing it. Us , the fans , will never EVER forget him. We should't. And we won''t. R.I.P. Roland , we love you ❤

The story at 11:00 what a legend. RIP

Second time I've watched this and I have to say I welled up at the end again.Never ever forgotten Roland❤

I remember watching the qualifying and seeing the accident on TV as I was 19 years old and it bought tears to my eyes.

Thanks for this video about Roland, may we never forget Roland ❤️

It was such a sad weekend that never should have happened... 3 devastating events... Because Ayrton had been a World Champ, Ayrtons story gets recognised, yet not a lot is said about Rolands Loss... Someone summed it up well: the parents in Salzberg were as devastated as the parents in Sao Paulo.... RIP ROLAND... 30 YEARS TODAY....🙏

Great to see a piece done about Roland, so often forgotten about. Well done to all who put it together.

Knew of him but didn't know much about him so this was a good watch

Thank you Sky for this beautiful documentary about Roland. RIP Roland

The many photos I see of Ratzenberger without his helmet on he has a nice big smile on his face in most of them and a few on show here. True F1 fans who still look back at that horrible black weekend still remember him now ❤🤍❤

They never should have run Imola '94 after Ratzenberger. Never forget that Rubens Barrichello almost lost his life at the same race, apparently he still has no memories of the accident he had that weekend.

RIP Ratzy! Senna gets all the attention for that awful weekend, but Razty was the underdog. Big things were in front of Ratzy. RIP RATZY!

That was a wonderful tribute, thank you for sharing it. Godspeed, Roland.

A insightful and heartfelt documentary with people who raced with Roland, thank you.

Great tribute.

Tastefully done. It was a shocking weekend and his sad death was overshadowed by the similarly tragic death of Ayrton Senna. It was nice to learn so much more about Roland.

Ratty has never got the recognition he truly deserves. genius driver with a natural talent many other drivers do not possess, RIP Ratzenberger.

Great documentary of a wonderful man. Thank you Sky F1

The first I heard of him was when he was racing touring cars. Murray Walker was commentating and announced Roland in his inimitable way ; " ...and YES that IS his real name!...."

Fly well, Roland.

Describing the night before as a test debrief. Brilliant

Nicely done Sky Sports F1. Love & Peace ✌

A beautiful film. Well done Sky, a wonderful tribute

Gone but never forgotten. Rest easy Roland

He must NOT be forgotten.

Never thought i'd say this, but thank you Sky. Best thing you've done for a long while.

Well done Sky. My thoughts are with Roland.

10:44 Roland you absolute legend 😂. Definitely one of the lads. Definitely enjoyed life to the end

What TV should be doing all the time! I always remember the surprise in first learning that another driver died the day before Senna and always wondered why we don’t know more about him. So 👏 👏 SSF1

Well done to Sky for putting this together.

Top class - this is a great documentary

Not forgotten Roland. Thanks for the Vid, really good work.

Thanks for this respectful doc. RR unforgotten.

Very respectful tributet and well deserved... He sounded like an incredible guy.. I''m glad he got to feel being an F1 driver.... So sad though....

Great documentary, Sky. Thank you. Rest in peace, Roland and all the other young men who lost their lives driving in the sport we love.

It’s been 30 years, but it still feels like yesterday. What a nice tribute to a driver who lived his dream, being overshadowed by the dead of my childhood hero Senna. I admit I’ve forgotten a bit what happened to him, until recently years when I read or saw his story (can’t remember). Sky sports in one word, just wow 👏🏻👏🏻

The fact is that Ayrton was going to pay tribute to him after the race with the Austrian Flag, but unfortunately Ayrton Suffered the Same Fate as Roland which as you guys said has Shifted the story to Senna's death. I feel Happy that Roland Achieved his Dream just before his passing is absolutely incredible. He's also Equally as Great as Senna. RIP Roland and Senna

Really excellent work, thankyou.

RIP Roland never ever forgotten.

truly appreciate this documentary on Roland on this auspicious 30th anniversary.

30 years ago today, I always remember Roland Ratzenberger on 30th April. May he rest in peace!

Great bloke. RIP 🙏

R.I.P. Roland we miss you. You made it to F1

Incredible story- rest in peace ❤

Those of us who love what i call the golden age of f1 will never forget Roland i have no doubt had that fateful day not happened he would of gone on to become a star of f1 maybe not champion but definitely a star

Thank you for this.

Thank you. Roland should be remembered, too. What a sad weekend that was.

Great video. Thank you.

People forget he was a bloody good driver. He may not have become a grand prix winner, but he'd have been a good solid tester for a top team. Might have even won Le Mans as well given he was due to drive for the Toyota team that ended up with a shout that year.

Well done for remembering the forgotten man …… great work ❤

Very inspirational to hear more about him, how he achieved his dream after so long. Rest in peace 🙏🏻

Touching piece. ❤

I was at Tosa for the 30th anniversary. During the Senna memorial I made sure to insert a couple "Remember Roland Ratzenberger!" calls (at respectful places) that received more than a smattering of applause. Trust me, in Imola, Roland Ratzenberger is quite well remembered. On the via towards the track there are three flower beds. One for Senna, one for Ratzenberger and one for both.

Yes, remembering Roland. Such a terribly sad loss.

As an Austrian i thank you for that

That's very noble from the part of Sky Sports!

Great video. Nice to hear the other story.

Very nice short documentary. 👍

Quality documentary rip

Not a lot of people know this: When Senna and Ratzenberger were in the hospital and the doctors finished their autopsy, they were one next to each other. Senna had two flowers over his body and Ratzenberger none. One of the doctors waited until everybody left the room and she took one of the flowers and placed over Ratzenbergers body, also the basement of the hospital where doctors performed autopsy was packed with flower ornaments for Senna, she called a friend doctor and asked for help to load their cars with ornaments, and drove to near by cemetery and placed flowers all over forgotten and abandoned graves. She said later it look so beautiful and serine. True story narrated by a Brazilian Journalist

Amazing choice to use runaway by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

He was a good driver and such a nice person. It's so sad that 90% of all people wouldn't even know him if it wasn't for that horrible weekend. And if it wasn't Senna who died next day probably % would be even higher

Never forgotten. I think a lot of people seem to kinda forget about his passing due to what happened the following day. Rest in peace Roland 🇦🇹 and of course Ayrton 🇧🇷