Official: MotoGP team principal Fausto Gresini has died

MotoGP team boss Fausto Gresini has died in hospital following a lengthy battle against Covid-related complications.
Official: MotoGP team principal Fausto Gresini has died

125cc world champion and MotoGP team principal Fausto Gresini has sadly passed away after being hospitalised for almost two-months due to Covid-related complications, his Gresini team has officially confirmed.

The 60-year-old Italian, who contracted Covid in late December, had been in the intensive care unit of the Maggiore Carlo Alberto Pizzardi hospital in Bologna battling severe respiratory problems since December 30.

Initially placed in a pharmaceutical coma, Gresini's condition then improved and - while a ventilator was always required for blood oxygen levels - he was described as fully conscious and able to take part in video calls with his family and a visit from his wife.

However complications followed, causing a deterioration in his condition.

A recent team update described a 'critical' clinical picture and reports that Gresini had passed away emerged yesterday (Monday) night, but were denied by both the team and Gresini's family.

The following statement was then issued on Tuesday morning:

'The news we would have never wanted to give, and that unfortunately we are forced to share with all of you. After nearly two months battling against Covid, Fausto Gresini has sadly passed away, few days after turning 60.

'All of Gresini Racing are close to Fausto’s family in support: his wife Nadia and the four children Lorenzo, Luca, Alice and Agnese... as well as everyone who had the chance to get to know him and love him throughout the years.'

After a 12-year career as a grand prix rider, spent entirely in the 125cc class, Gresini moved into team management 1997.

His team has won three titles in the smaller classes – the 1997 250cc world championship with Daijiro Kato, 2010 Moto2 crown with Toni Elias and 2018 Moto3 title with Jorge Martin - plus satellite Honda MotoGP race wins for Sete Gibernau (8), Marco Melandri (5) and Elias (1).

Always close to his riders, Gresini faced more heartache than any other MotoGP team principal of the modern era with the loss of Daijiro Kato (2003) and Marco Simoncelli (2011) due to fatal racing accidents while wearing the team's colours.

Gresini became the Factory Aprilia MotoGP team from the end of 2014, an agreement that will conclude this season. The squad intends to become a fully independent MotoGP entry again from 2022, while continuing to compete in the Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE classes.

Crash.net joins the MotoGP community in offering its sincere condolences to Fausto Gresini's family, friends and team.

 

Provisional 2021 MotoGP Calendar

Round

Date

Race

Circuit

1

28 March

Qatar (Evening race)

Losail

2

4 April

Doha (Evening race)

Losail

3

18 April

Portugal

Portimao

4

2 May

Spain

Jerez

5

16 May

France

Le Mans

6

30 May

Italy

Mugello

7

6 June

Catalunya

Barcelona

8

20 June

Germany

Sachsenring

9

27 June

Netherlands

Assen

10

11 July

Finland (Subject to homologation)

KymiRing

11

15 August

Austria

Red Bull Ring

12

29 August

Great Britain

Silverstone

13

12 September

Aragon

Aragon

14

19 September

San Marino e Della Riviera di Rimini

Misano

15

3 October

Japan

Motegi

16

10 October

Thailand

Buriram

17

24 October

Australia

Phillip Island

18

31 October

Malaysia

Sepang

19

14 November

Comunitat Valenciana

Ricardo Tormo

Postponed Grands Prix:
 11 AprilArgentinaTermas
 18 AprilAmericasCOTA
Reserve Grand Prix Venues:
  Indonesia (Subject to homologation)Mandalika
  RussiaIgora Drive
2021 Pre-season Testing:
 5 MarchQatar Shakedown TestLosail
 6-7 MarchQatar Official TestLosail
 10-12 MarchQatar Official TestLosail
 
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