MotoGP™ and Dorna Sports are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Fausto Gresini. A two-time World Champion in the 125cc class and a key figure in the paddock as founder of the Gresini Team thereafter, the legendary Italian will be deeply missed.
Gresini began competing in the 125 World Championship in 1983 and took his debut win the following season. The season after that he took the crown for the first time as he won the 1985 125cc World Championship. Runner up in 1986, the Italian fought back to take 10 wins on his way to reclaiming the crown in 1987, taking his place in Grand Prix history.
A much loved member of the MotoGP family has sadly left us
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) February 23, 2021
Fausto Gresini was a colleague to many, a friend to all and will be sorely, sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones
Rest in peace Fausto pic.twitter.com/qWfP34BIpa
Gresini competed until 1994 and accrued 21 wins overall, becoming one of the most successful riders of his era in the 125cc class. After hanging up his leathers, he then found equal and impressive success as he began a career on the other side of the pit wall.
His journey as Team Manager began in 1997, and the Gresini team took a World Championship for the first time in 2001 with Japanese rider Daijiro Kato as the two dominated the 250cc class together. Further rider Championships came in 2010 in Moto2™ with Toni Elias and 2018 in Moto3™ with Jorge Martin, as well as 2019 as the team won the inaugural FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup with Matteo Ferrari. The teams that bear his name compete across all three classes of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship in 2021, from MotoGP™ to Moto3™, and will race on in his honour.
Gresini’s memory will live on both in his achievements on track and his legacy as team founder and manager. MotoGP™ and Dorna Sports extend their deepest condolences to all those the legendary Italian leaves behind; his family, friends, colleagues, teams and more, at this most difficult time.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: "I'm deeply saddened by the loss of Fausto. He was a very good friend and I liked him a lot. I have been following the news on his condition closely and I was lucky enough to be able to speak to him even as he was in hospital. I am so very sorry to suffer a loss like this in the paddock and I want to send my deepest condolences to his family, friends and the members of his team."
Jorge Viegas, FIM President: "Fausto Gresini fought for quite a long time to beat this "invisible enemy" that took one of our heroes away from us. I have learned to appreciate Fausto as a rider first and then as a Team Manager, always at the top of his capabilities. What I will miss the most is the long "paddock talks" with him, where he always showed to have very wise opinions but also to be one of the best informed team managers, with an incredible energy and motivation. I would like to express here my deepest condolences to his family, to his team and friends, in the name of the FIM and in my personal name."