We all know that our sport is dangerous and we all know that anything can happen at
anytime. We all should be prepared for the worst but when something happens, you
realize that you are not prepared at all. Loosing an outstanding driver, a friend for 20
years, and your teammate at the same time is harder that I thought it would be.
Michele was a real gentleman and those who had the pleasure of meeting him know what I
mean. I think of his family, his wife Nadia, their two daughters Noemi and Alice, alone with
their sadness and their memories and I send them my deepest sympathy.
We are in shock today. I spoke to Frank Biela, Dindo Capello, Dr. Ullrich, some of the Audi
Sport and Joest people and a lot of common friends. The phone keeps ringing all the
time, and our sadness is immense.
A famous person of the past said: ”In motor racing, no driver is too good to die.” This is a
bitter truth that applied to Michele, too.
I believe we, racing drivers, are blessed people who received a gift from God. We are
doing something that we love with all of our hearts and we have a wonderful and intense
life. Sometimes, unfortunately, life is not long enough, but none of us would like to trade
it with anything else.
Michele has taken a part of all of us with him, but a lot nice memories remain.
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