Watch: Sebastian Vettel says 'Forza Ferrari' as he signs autographs at the F1 Imola GP

Sebastian Vettel fully embraced his Italian allegiance while saying 'Forza Ferrari' to the fans while signing autographs before entering the paddock in Imola. The former four-time world champion will drive the McLaren MP4/8 of Ayrton Senna to commemorate the 30th death anniversary of the Brazilian legend ahead of the Imola GP.

The former three-time world champion passed away on 1 May, 1994, while leading the race ahead of Michael Schumacher in a Williams as he lost control at the Turnbarello corner.

Vettel, who had previously driven Senna's McLaren MP4/8 at the Good Festival of Speed last year, was warmly greeted by the tifosi while entering the gates of the Italian track on Thursday. The former Ferrari driver reciprocated their love by saying:

"Forza Ferrari,"

Later in the day, Sebastian Vettel organized a tribute run to mark the occasion with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and many F1 drivers in attendance.

The F1 community wore yellow T-shirts with '#Forever' written on them to pay respect to the legendary Brazilian while also donning white and red wristbands to showcase their respects to Austrian Roland Rattszenber, who lost his life on the same track a day before Senna's death.

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Sebastian Vettel pays a touching tribute to Ayrton Senna

Before taking Ayrton Senna's McLaren for a run, Sebastian Vettel shared a touching anecdote about the Brazilian driver and how he was introduced to the legend by his father Norbert Vettel.

The former Red Bull driver wrote on Instagram:

"I was only 7 years old when the accident happened. Through my father, I learned what a great driver Ayrton Senna was. He was a big fan of Ayrton and gave me a ‘Senna’ doll and a small Senna toy car. However, the closest I got to Ayrton was watching a Friday practice session from the grandstands at Hockenheim during the German Grand Prix."

"Later in my racing career, I learned a lot about him from people in and around the paddock, their stories about him as a person and a driver. What I particularly valued about him, much later on, was that he was not only one of the best racing drivers ever but that he also showed compassion and support for the often difficult social problems and poverty that affected his home country Brazil."

Vettel noted how love and support for the Brazilian driver continues to this day, thanks to the Senna Foundation, adding:

"This support continues today, 30 years on, thanks to the Senna Foundation. That’s the legacy of a truly great driver and that’s why I would like to remember Ayrton Senna with all his fans today and forever."

It would truly be an iconic moment to see Sebastian Vettel driving the iconic McLaren car of Ayrton Senna ahead of the Imola Grand Prix on Sunday.