Marco Simoncelli passes away at Malaysian GP Today we are very sad to announce that HRC rider Marco Simoncelli has lost his life in a racing accident at the Sepang circuit. The 24 year old Italian was involved in an accident on lap two of the Malaysian GP. The race was instantly red flagged, and later cancelled. Medical staff were on the scene immediately and he was taken to the circuit medical centre. Unfortunately Marco’s injuries were too severe and at 16h56 local time he was declared dead. Our thoughts are with his family at this tragic time. The test scheduled for tomorrow with Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner on the 2012 prototypes at the Sepang Circuit has been cancelled. Shuhei Nakamoto – HRC Executive Vice President “I just don’t know what to say, words escape me. Marco was a very nice guy and a very talented rider. Sometimes I was a little harsh with him, for example after his first MotoGP podium in Brno when I told him: “Lucky podium!” and he was so angry… but I wanted to motivate him as I knew he was able to do even more. I was thinking that when he won his first race we would have been able to celebrate together… Now I just want to say thank you to Marco, for what you gave me and pass my sincere condolences to his family and this very sad time”. Dani Pedrosa “In a tragedy like this there is not much to say. I just want to give my condolences to his family and all the people who love him. I’ve been with his father and all we could do was to hug, nothing else matters. It was a fatal accident and everybody in the paddock remains in shock. Many times we ourselves forget how dangerous this sport can be and when you lose people on the way nothing has any meaning. It’s clear that we all do what we like, what we love, but on days like today nothing matters”. Andrea Dovizioso “In these circumstances, words don’t seem to be appropriate. I think of Marco’s family and all the people dear to him, in particular his father and mother. I also have a child and what happened today is the hardest situation you can imagine. I watched the images and I’m shocked: in a race you fight and push hard and disaster is often around the corner. Marco was a strong rider and he always pushed hard. We raced together since we were kids, I saw him always pushing to the maximum, he crashed many times, but without major injuries, he was seemed invincible. What happened today seems impossible”. Casey Stoner “I’m so shocked and saddened by the loss of Marco. When things like this happen it reminds you how precious life is, it makes me feel sick inside. All I can say is how sorry I am for Marco’s whole family I can’t imagine what they are all going through and our thoughts and wishes are with them at this time. I hope they all stay close and pull through this tragedy together”. More, from a press release issued by Honda: 2011 FIM MotoGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 17 SUNDAY OCTOBER 23 SEPANG, MALAYSIA Weather: Sunny, hot, humid Temperature: Ambient 34 degrees C / Track 48 degrees C Weekend attendance: 111,385 THE HONDA FAMILY MOURNS ONE OF ITS OWN The Honda family is mourning the loss of one its rising stars, the charismatic Italian Marco Simoncelli, who lost his life in a racing accident in today’s Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang. Simoncelli had a front end crash on the second of 20 scheduled laps in the right hand turn 11. Rather than he and his machine sliding outwards, as is normal, his tyres gripped the track and shot him into the path of two riders following closely behind. The race was immediately red flagged and later canceled. Extraordinary efforts were made to resuscitate him, but, ultimately, they were unsuccessful. “I’m very sad to be here to report about the death of Marco Simoncelli, a friend,” said Dr. Michele Macchiagodena. Simoncelli had suffered trauma to his head, neck, and chest. He was unconscious when he arrived at the infield care centre and in cardiac arrest. The team of physicians tried for 45 minutes to revive him, “so to have him survive as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately, it was not possible to help him and at 16:56 we had to declare he was dead.” Simoncelli was one of the sport’s rising stars, a charismatic 24-year-old who rode with his heart. He was as passionate on the track as he was off, and sometimes that got him in trouble. His was an aggressive style that didn’t always suit the venue, but he was maturing as a rider. This season he earned his first two MotoGP podiums and his first two MotoGP pole positions. Only a week ago, he finished a career best second in MotoGP race at the Australian Grand Prix, taking the runner-up spot to Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda RC212V) with a brilliant last lap pass of Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda RC212V). Photos from that day show Simoncelli standing out on the podium, which he also did in life. It wasn’t just because he was one of the taller riders in MotoGP, and it wasn’t just for the blossoming, bushy hair that paid homage to guitar legend Jimi Hendrix, but it was because of his outsized personality and his passion for winning. The Honda Motor Company family would like to express its sincere condolences to the family of Marco Simoncelli, his team owner Fausto Gresini, his team, his legion of friends, and his thousands of fans throughout the world. He will be missed. MOTOGP RIDER QUOTES Shuhei Nakamoto, HRC Executive Vice President, says, “I just don’t know what to say; words escape me. Marco was a very nice guy and a very talented rider. Sometimes I was a little harsh with him, for example after his first MotoGP podium in Brno when I told him, ‘Lucky podium!’ and he was so angry, but I wanted to motivate him as I knew he was able to do even more. I was thinking that when he won his first race we would have been able to celebrate together. Now I just want to say thank you to Marco, for what you gave me. and pass my sincere condolences to his family at this very sad time.” Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa says, “In a tragedy like this there is not much to say. I just want to give my condolences to his family and all the people who love him. I’ve been with his father and all we could do was to hug, nothing else matters. It was a fatal accident and everybody in the paddock remains in shock. Many times we ourselves forget how dangerous this sport can be and when you lose people on the way nothing has any meaning. It’s clear that we all do what we like, what we love, but on days like today nothing matters.” Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso says, “In these circumstances, words don’t seem to be appropriate. I think of Marco’s family and all the people dear to him, in particular his father and mother. I also have a child and what happened today is the hardest situation you can imagine. I watched the images and I’m shocked. In a race you fight and push hard and disaster is often around the corner. Marco was a strong rider and he always pushed hard. We raced together since we were kids. I saw him always pushing to the maximum, he crashed many times, but without major injuries, he was seemed invincible. What happened today seems impossible.” Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner says, “I’m so shocked and saddened by the loss of Marco. When things like this happen it reminds you how precious life is, it makes me feel sick inside. All I can say is how sorry I am for Marco’s whole family I can’t imagine what they are all going through and our thoughts and wishes are with them at this time. I hope they all stay close and pull through this tragedy together.” Rider: Marco Simoncelli – Italy Team: San Carlo Honda Gresini Racing number: 58 Race machine: RC1212V Date of Birth: January 20, 1987. Birthplace: Cattolica, Italy. First race: 1996 Minimoto Grand Prix debut: 2002 Czech Republic 125cc GP, Brno Aprilia. First Grand Prix win: 2004 Spanish Grand Prix 125cc GP, Jerez Aprrilia. Total Grand Prix wins: 14. 2 x 125cc Aprilia. 12 x 250cc Gilera.. Total Grand Prix podiums: 31. 2 x MotoGP – Honda. 7 x 125cc Aprillia. 22 x 250cc Gilera. World titles: 1 x 250cc Gilera 2008. Career Highlights Marco Simoncelli 1996: 2nd Italian Minimoto Championship 1997: 5th Italian Minimoto Championship 1998: 2nd Italian Minimoto Championship 1999: Italian Minimoto Champion 2000: Italian Minimoto Champion 2001: Italian 125 Champion – Honda 2002: European 125 Champion – Aprilia 2002: 33rd 125 World Championship – Aprilia 2003: 21st 125 World Championship – Aprilia 2004: 11th 125 World Championship – Aprilia 2005: 5th 125 World Championship – Aprilia 2006: 10th 250 World Championship – Gilera 2007: 10th 250 World Championship – Gilera 2008: 250 World Champion – Gilera 2009: 3rd 250 World Championship Gilera 2010: 8th MotoGP World Championship – Honda More, from a press release issued by Rizla Suzuki: With respects to Marco Simoncelli Today’s Malaysian Grand Prix was cancelled after Marco Simoncelli succumbed to fatal injuries he received during the second lap of today’s race. All at Rizla Suzuki are deeply affected by today’s tragic events and send their deepest condolences to Marcos family and friends during this time of great loss. R.I.P Marco Simoncelli, 20 January 1987 – 23 October 2011. A true competitor. More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda: CIAO MARCO! Toni Elias, Lucio Cecchinello and the whole LCR Honda MotoGP Team thoughts go to Marco Simoncelli’s family, friends and the whole Gresini Racing Team in this tragic moment. More, from a press release issued by Bridgestone: Taka Horio General Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department “Today we are left devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marco’s family at this terrible, terrible time, and with his team. Words can do no justice to the emotion we are all feeling. The MotoGP family has lost one of its bright stars, a genuine character whose larger-than-life persona, charisma and unstoppable spirit were infectious, and we’ve all lost a great friend. We worked closely with Marco for his first two years in MotoGP and it was clear that he was a true racer, something he proved again and again this season. Determined to the end, and a great showman. His ascent through the field in just two seasons has been fantastic to watch, testament to his raw talent, ability and dedication to the sport he so loved. We remember fondly the tenacity and spirit with which he raced, and he will be sorely, sorely missed.” More, from a press release issued by Monster Yamaha Tech 3: The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team and Tech 3 Racing Moto2 team extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Marco Simoncelli, who succumbed to injuries he received in this afternoon’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards was involved in the second lap incident and he suffered a dislocated left shoulder. The American has left the Sepang International Circuit to begin his recovery at home in America and his thoughts and prayers are with Simoncelli and the Gresini Honda family. RIP Super Sic – A much-loved star on and off the track More, from a press release issued by Marlboro Ducati: IN MEMORY OF MARCO SIMONCELLI Ducati, its team and its riders are deeply affected by the tragedy that struck the MotoGP world today, and they gather around the family, friends and team of Marco Simoncelli, who lost his life in a terrible accident during the Malaysian Grand Prix. We will always remember Marco for his smile, his enthusiasm, his big heart and for the incredible emotions he allowed us to experience in recent years. He was one of us. More, from a press release issued by Yamaha MotoGP Team: With Respects to Marco Simoncelli Yamaha wish to convey the deepest heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Marco Simoncelli following the tragic accident today at the Grand Prix of Malaysia. Marco was a worthy competitor and rising star of MotoGP who will be deeply missed by all. More, from a press release issued by Indianapolis Motor Speedway: IMS STATEMENT ON PASSING OF MotoGP RIDER SIMONCELLI INDIANAPOLIS, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011 – A statement from Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Belskus on the death of MotoGP competitor Marco Simoncelli from injuries suffered in the Grand Prix of Malaysia on Sunday, Oct. 23: “We are deeply saddened at the passing of Marco Simoncelli. He was one of the most charismatic figures in the World Championship and had a fantastic future ahead of him in MotoGP. Marco was one of the most popular riders at the MotoGP event at Indianapolis, as his talent on the motorcycle and his ability to connect with fans both were very special. We extend our sincere sympathies to his family, team and fans.” Simoncelli, 24, from Italy, competed twice in the MotoGP class at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, finishing seventh in 2010 and 12th in 2011. He won the 250cc race in 2009 at IMS. Simoncelli was the 2008 250cc World Champion. More, from a press release issued by AMA Pro Racing: AMA Pro Racing Statement on Marco Simoncelli DAYTONA BEACH, FL (October 23, 2011) AMA Pro Racing sends their deepest sympathies to the family of Marco Simoncelli and the Gresini Racing team on the loss of a great champion and rider who loved life and the sport of motorcycle racing. His passion and energy had a marked effect on the sport and he will be missed by the entire road racing community in the United States and around the world. More, from a press release issued by FIM: 2011 FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2011: Declaration of the Race Direction On Sunday 23rd October, during the MotoGP race at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Italian rider Marco Simoncelli suffered a serious accident in which he received critical injuries. The race was stopped immediately with the red flag and Simoncelli was transported by ambulance to the circuit medical centre where the medical staff worked to resuscitate him. Despite their efforts, Marco sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4.56pm local time. Everybody involved in MotoGP extends their deepest condolences to Marco’s family, friends and team at this tragic loss.