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A testing accident has taken Michele Alboreto from the world - these are Audi's reports. Story and pictures by Audi - 05 May 2001.
Michele Alboreto fatally injured during testing (27 April 2001) The racing sportscar with Michele Alboreto at the wheel was on a straight section of the Lausitz circuit when, for as yet unknown reasons, the vehicle went off the track and rolled. Head of Audi Sport, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich spoke about the accident in his first statement as an "incomprehensible tragedy". In preparation for the 2001 season, the vehicle involved in the accident had already completed thousands of test kilometres on numerous circuits without any problems. Dr Ullrich: "We will do everything in our power to find the reason for this accident. But right now our thoughts and condolences are with Michele´s wife Nadia, his two daughters, and his whole family." The former Formula 1 driver Michele Alboreto became world vice champion in 1985 with Ferrari. His last great success came several weeks ago with a victory at the Sebring 12 Hour race in the USA. Michele AlboretoDate of birth: 23 December 1956 Place of birth: Milan (I) Place of residence: Monte Carlo (MC) Status: Married to Nadia, two daughters Previous Le Mans races: 8 (Winner in 1997) Started career in: 1976 (Audi driver since 1999) 1977 3rd place Formula Monza 1978 5th place Formula Italia 1979 2nd place Italian Formula 3 Championship, Long-Distance World Championship 1980 Formula 3 European Champion, Long-Distance World Championship 1981 Formula 2 European Championship, Long-Distance World Championship, Formula 1 World Championship 1982 6th Formula 1 World Championship, Long-distance World Championship 1983 12th Formula 1 World Championship 1984 4th Formula 1 World Championship 1985 2nd Formula 1 World Championship 1986 8th Formula 1 World Championship 1987 7th Formula 1 World Championship 1988 5th Formula 1 World Championship 1989 11th Formula 1 World Championship 1990 Formula 1 World Championship 1991 Formula 1 World Championship 1992 10th Formula 1 World Championship 1993 Formula 1 World Championship 1994 Formula 1 World Championship 1995 German Touring Car Championship, Sports car racing, USA 1996 Indy Racing League, Sports car racing, USA 1997 Winner of Le Mans 24 Hour race 1998 2nd in Petit Le Mans 1999 3rd in Sebring 12 Hour race (Audi R8R), 4th in Le Mans 24 Hour race (Audi R8R) 2000 Winner of "Petit Le Mans", 2nd in Sebring 12 Hour race (Audi R8), 3rd in Le Mans 24 Hour Race (Audi R8) 2001 Winner of Sebring 12 Hour race (Audi R8)
CAUSE OF ALBORETO ACCIDENT CLARIFIED (01 May 2001) Experts from the independent investigators DEKRA, investigating on behalf of the public prosecutor’s office at Cottbus, and specialists at Audi, unanimously came to the opinion that the accident has been caused by a punctured tyre. "All investigations carried out so far, show that a sharp object went into the left rear tyre which caused a gradual loss of pressure in the tyre," explain the experts of DEKRA. From that, all investigations carried out so far prove that the accident was caused by external circumstances and no technical failure of the car. "Knowing the results of the investigations, which of course does not bring Michele back, Audi has decided in accordance with its drivers, to take part in the pre-practice at Le Mans," explains Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Sport. "I am absolutely sure this would also be in the mind of Michele whose work helped us make the Audi R8 such a successful sportscar." The two "customer" Audi teams of Champion and Johansson Racing will also take part in Sunday’s (6 May) Le Mans pre-practice with their Audi R8 sportscars in advance of the 24 Hour race itself on 16-17 June. |