Former Formula 1 star Michele Alboreto died yesterday following an accident while test-driving on the Lausitzring circuit in Germany. The 44-year-old former Ferrari driver lost control of his Audi R8 despite ideal weather conditions for driving. An investigation has been set up by the local police to discover the cause of his crash. According to reports, the car Alboreto was in flipped over while he was on the track but no one can explain why it happened.
Alboreto, a five-times Grand Prix winner, competed at the top level of the sport between 1981 and 1994 before moving into sportscar racing. He drove for Ferrari from 1984 to 1989. In a statement made by Ferrari president, Luca di Montezemolo, Alboreto was described as "a great and important driver in Ferrari's history". Montezemolo paid tribute to the Italian driver and added, "his death pains me deeply".
Alboreto was also well known for his testimony at the manslaughter trial following the death of the great Ayrton Senna in 1997, whom Alboreto believed died due to mechancial fault and not human error. In that same year, Alboreto won Le Mans with Porsche before moving to Audi. He is survived by his wife and two children. (Reuters)
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
