Unique MotoGP, Formula 1 tribute to Fausto Gresini

Sunday saw a unique minute of silence observed by both MotoGP, at Portimao, and Formula 1, at Imola in memory of double motorcycle world champion Fausto Gresini.

Gresini, who was born in Imola, sadly lost his life earlier this year after a long battle with complications caused by Covid-19.

At Imola on Sunday the likes of F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Jean Todt joined members of Gresini’s family in parc ferme.

Davide Brivio, who knew Gresini well as a rival MotoGP team manager, but is now working in F1 with the Alpine team, was also present.

"To remember Fausto Gresini means to scroll through some of the most beautiful sporting pages of our hometown Imola," said Domenicali. "The passion for motors and motorsports has tied us together from an early age.

"Fausto not only has been a World Champion, but also an incredible scout of extraordinary talents, who left their mark into two-wheeled motorsport. He will never be forgotten."

At Portimao, bikes, riders and team members from the MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 class Gresini teams gathered in front of the Aprilia Gresini box ahead of the MotoGP race, joined by FIM President Jorge Viegas and Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.

"Fausto has been, without a doubt, among those who most contributed in bringing MotoGP to the level it is now," said Ezpeleta. "He was first of all a good friend and one of those key figures of our paddock.

"With his charisma and smile, he built one of nicest and best equipped teams of the paddock, and my goal is to keep his memory alive. He left a great family both outside and inside the paddock and we will miss him a lot.

"We celebrated him in Qatar with a heartfelt minute of silence, and I think this shared event with Formula 1 is the ultimate proof of how important his figure has been in the whole world of motorsport."

Sunday was the first time in history that the two paddocks had joined together in such a way.

“On behalf of myself, my kids and the whole Gresini Racing, I would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, Stefano Domenicali and Carmelo Ezpeleta for having united the motorsport world to commemorate Fausto, a great man both in life and in the sport," said Greisni's wife Nadia Padovani.

"We are immensely grateful and moved for this wonderful and unexpected tribute.”