Fernando Alonso has paid tribute to his longtime physio, Fabrizio Borra, who passed away on Sunday morning at 64 years old.
Borra was a familiar face in the F1 paddock, having worked with Alonso since his days at Minardi in 2001 and all the way through his championship success at Renault in 2005 and 2006.
He would also stay with him through both ill-fated stints at McLaren, then latterly Alpine and Aston Martin before taking a step back in the last few months.
Alonso paid tribute to him in a post on Instagram, after the news came through Italian media outlet Corriere della Sera that he died in the Italian city of Forli on Sunday morning.
- READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso’s life outside F1 from net worth to Cars 2
Fernando Alonso pays tribute to longtime physio
F1 drivers are close to physios as they often play a role in their personal entourage at races.
Those might remember he was once confronted by Ron Dennis on the McLaren pit wall at the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix, after Alonso held up Lewis Hamilton on purpose in qualifying.
In a post on Instagram, Alonso said he was lucky to work with Borra throughout his 23-year F1 career.
“I’ll miss you, Fabri. Every single day. Thank you for teaching me so much and making me a better person and athlete. My whole career with you has been the biggest luck I could have. Rest in peace, brother,” said Alonso.
Fabrizio Borra worked with Michael Schumacher and MotoGP riders
Borra also worked with Michael Schumacher in F1, helping him recover from a broken leg that he sustained at the 1999 British Grand Prix.
Schumacher was out for six races which effectively forced him out of competing for the title, with it eventually going to Mika Hakkinen at McLaren.
The seven-time world champion was replaced by Mika Salo, while Eddie Irvine would challenge for the title at Ferrari.
Borra also worked with MotoGP rider Andrea Dovizioso and prominent figures outside of the world of motorsport, including cyclist Marco Pantani.
Leave feedback about this