GT and endurance racing driver Cedric Sbirrazzuoli passed away on Thursday, August 20, on his 39th birthday, writes motorsport.com
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The racer, who lost the battle with a serious illness, left behind his wife Martina, whom he married last June.
Born in 1987, C. Sbirrazzuoli began his racing career in the mid-2000s behind the wheel of a formula car. Later, he moved to touring car racing, competing in GT4, GT2, and the Porsche Carrera Cup championships. He then raced in other one-make series such as the Maserati Trophy and Lamborghini Super Trofeo, but it was the partnership with the AF Corse team that opened the doors to the Ferrari world for him. This gave him the opportunity to drive the 458 Italia GT3, 488, and more recently, the 296 models.
In his distinguished motorsport career, he competed in the European and Asian Le Mans Series (LMS), GT World Challenge Europe and America, the Italian GT Championship, and recently the IMSA series. In 2024, together with regular team drivers Albert Costa and Manny Franco, he represented the Conquest Racing team, driving the #34 Ferrari and achieving podiums at Daytona and Watkins Glen, culminating the memorable season with a victory at the Petit Le Mans race.
“You were an exceptionally talented, determined, and professional driver, marked by passion and a desire to win, typical only of those who truly love motorsport. But you were much more: a sincere, respectful, and warm person, able to radiate pure enthusiasm and uniquely experience love for motorsport,” the AF Corse team shared in memories upon learning of the loss.
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“It was a privilege for us to work and dream together. Your racing ended far too soon. The memory of you will fly forever. We send our warmest condolences to your wife, parents, and all loved ones. Goodbye, Cedric. Rest in peace.”
Condolences were also expressed this week by Iron Dames team driver Michelle Gatting, who also remembered Luca Persiani, who tragically died in an accident last year.
“Today, in heaven, Cedric joined his close friend Luca,” she said. “It is hard to comprehend that another wonderful person left this world far too early. Cedric fought cancer with all his strength, but unfortunately, he could not win this battle. I know one thing for sure – he lived life to the fullest, and that is a lesson for all of us. Because, damn, life can be incredibly short. Now up there, they are together again – two wonderful people looking down on us and probably hoping that we will cherish every moment, laugh louder, love stronger, and live as fully as they did.”
Albert Costa, who raced alongside C. Sbirrazzuoli in the Ferrari-Conquest team in the IMSA championship, added: “Rest in peace, my friend. Words fail to describe how I feel. You were an incredible friend and a great teammate. We won our last race together; I have no doubt you will give your all in heaven too. This weekend, I will race for you – we will miss you dearly, Cedric.”
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