Franco Morbidelli's former team owner Marc van der Straten died on July 5 at the age of 78.
What happened?
Marc van der Straten was the owner of the Elf Marc VDS Racing team, which competed in MotoGP and WorldSBK.
The team achieved major success in the Moto2 class, with riders like Tito Rabat, Franco Morbidelli, and Alex Marquez winning titles in 2014, 2017, and 2019, respectively.
Why it matters for Franco Morbidelli
Franco Morbidelli was one of the riders who won a title with the Elf Marc VDS Racing team, taking the Moto2 championship in 2017.
This success was a significant milestone in Morbidelli's career, and van der Straten's leadership played a key role in the team's achievements.
What comes next?
The Elf Marc VDS Racing team will likely continue to compete in WorldSBK, with British racer Sam Lowes leading the team.
The team's statement confirmed van der Straten's death and paid tribute to his passion for motorsport, which was inspired by his father, a former racer.
Van der Straten's legacy in MotoGP and WorldSBK will be remembered for years to come, with his team's successes and the riders he supported, including Franco Morbidelli.
The news of van der Straten's death was announced on the team's Instagram account, where current and former racers have been paying their respects, on July 5.
Franco Morbidelli's career was influenced by van der Straten's team, and the rider's title win in 2017 will always be associated with the Elf Marc VDS Racing team.
The MotoGP community will miss van der Straten's presence, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered, as stated by the team on Sunday, July 5.
The Elf Marc VDS Racing team's future plans will be announced in due course, but for now, the focus is on paying tribute to van der Straten's life and legacy, which includes his work with Franco Morbidelli.
Van der Straten's death is a loss for the MotoGP and WorldSBK communities, and his memory will live on through the successes of his team and the riders he supported, including Franco Morbidelli, who won the Moto2 title in 2017.
The team's statement described van der Straten as a charismatic founder and owner, who was passionate about motorsport, on July 5.
This passion was evident in the team's achievements, including the titles won by Franco Morbidelli and other riders, and will be remembered for years to come.
The news of van der Straten's death has been met with sadness from the MotoGP and WorldSBK communities, who are paying their respects to his memory, and his work with riders like Franco Morbidelli.