This is the blackest day for Grand Prix racing that I can remember Murray Walker, veteran BBC sports correspondent

Only yesterday, the Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger was killed at nearly the same spot, known as the Tamburello curve.

The two tragedies have rocked the racing world - and the people of Brazil who regarded Senna as a demi-god.

"This is the blackest day for Grand Prix racing that I can remember in the many, many years I have been covering the sport," said veteran BBC sports commentator Murray Walker.

"For there to be two casualties on successive days is quite appalling - and that arguably one of them should be that of the greatest driver that has ever lived in the history of Grand Prix racing makes it doubly so."

Senna was well-known for his aggressive driving style. In 1989 he collided with French driver Alain Prost in the Japanese Grand Prix. He was disqualified and lost his title.

The following year, the same thing happened and this time, Senna went on to win as Prost dropped out. Afterwards he told reporters: "Winning is like a drug. I cannot justify in any circumstances coming second or third."

The cause of the accident remains a mystery but already many are blaming new regulations designed to make races more exciting.

The sport itself is now set for a critical period of self-examination.

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