21.   Shortly before the start drivers had paid homage to Senna, the triple world champion whose death has tended to overshadow that of rookie Ratzenberger.

22.   The best performances of the night came from triple world champion Noureddine Morceli and Frankie Fredericks of Namibia.

23.   The motor racing world also mourned the death of veteran team owner Ken Tyrrell who masterminded the career of triple world champion Jackie Stewart.

24.   The Imola circuit was the scene this season of the deaths of triple world champion Ayrton Senna and Austrian Roland Ratzenberger in separate accidents.

25.   The news will be a major boost to the sport, following the death of former triple world champion one Ayrton Senna in May.