Rare final snapshot of Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna, captured before his passing, exhibited in London.
Informal Take:
Hey there! Let's dive into the thrilling world of Formula 1 (F1) and the haunting images captured by photographer Jon Nicholson, shall we?
On a chilly day in April 1994, Jon found himself in the Williams' F1 garage at Imola Circuit, Italy. Ayrton Senna, the racing icon, was standing pensively, eyeing a video monitor. Tragedy struck during the first practice session when Ruben Barrichello, flying at around 225km/h (140mph), collided with a tire barrier – a devastating impact measuring 95g.
The next day, Roland Ratzenberger passed away after crashing into a concrete barrier during qualifying. Heartbroken and concerned, Jon found himself in the driver briefing room before the actual Grand Prix, with Ayrton looking uneasy and reluctant to race. Jon recalls, "Ayrton was just not engaging at all, with anything. I was sandwiched between Frank Williams, Adrian Newey, and Patrick Head, and he kept saying, 'They’re making me race, they’re making me race, I don’t want to race.'"
"My first reaction was: come on Patrick, come on Frank, you’ve got to say something here," Jon shared, "But he [Ayrton] kept going, and I just said to him, 'Ayrton, I’m a photographer, go and talk to Bernie. What am I going to do?'"
Two hours later, the unthinkable happened: Ayrton Senna was dead.
These poignant photographs, one of the last private shots taken of Senna, are part of an exhibition titled Exactly What I See, displayed at Connolly in Mayfair – a luxury British fashion and leather brand with deep roots in the automotive industry. The exhibition will close on July 12, and Jon plans to retire the profile shot of Senna, which he left undeveloped for 25 years.
Jon aspired to be an all-round sports photographer, but his passion for motorsport was hard to ignore. He shared an office with Damon Hill, the 1996 F1 World Champion and Senna's Williams teammate, in the 1980s, fostering a strong bond and sharing their dreams of success.
The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix marked a turning point in F1, breaking hearts and forcing safety regulations to be ushered in. Although it is regarded as a 'golden era,' with intense rivalries and rapid technological advancements, Jon says that the sport has lost its raw, gritty charm. "The sport, not the people, are too manufactured now," he shares. "Can you imagine telling James Hunt not to swear on the radio?"
In recent years, Jon has shifted his lens toward capturing the thrill of banger races – timeless black and white images of the rough and tumble world that is a true reflection of the 'state of the nation.' Some of these images are also on display at Connolly.
"'Exactly What I See' is on display at Connolly, 4 Clifford Street, until July 12. Visit the Connolly or Jon Nicholson websites for more information."
Want to hear more from the visionary behind Connolly? Check out Isabel Ettedgui's interview with 'our platform' here.
Rosie Paterson is our platform's Digital Content Director & Travel Editor. Beyond our platform, she has written for Mr & Mrs Smith and The Gentleman’s Journal, among others. Her office jokes that she splits her time between Claridge's, Devon, and the Maldives.
In the realm of sports, Jon Nicholson's focus has expanded beyond Formula 1, now capturing the raw energy of banger races. Additionally, European-leagues enthusiasts might appreciate visiting the exhibition 'Exactly What I See' at Connolly, showcasing not only image collections from banger races but also a poignant, undeveloped photo of Ayrton Senna from his Formula 1 days.
