MotoGP reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia has offered an emotional tribute to his late friend and fellow racer Luca Salvadori, who tragically passed away in a road racing accident. Ahead of the Emilia Romagna MotoGP round, Bagnaia, along with his Ducati teammate Enea Bastianini, took a moment to honor Salvadori’s life and his deep passion for motorsport.
Francesco Bagnaia and Luca Salvadori had a long-standing friendship built on their mutual love of racing. Salvadori, who was 32 years old, had competed in MotoE and was well-regarded throughout the motorsport community for his infectious spirit and enthusiasm. Remembering Salvadori, Bagnaia shared a heartfelt message:
“We’ve lost a truly great person and a dear friend,” Bagnaia said, reflecting on their close bond. “We used to talk a lot and shared many dinners together. He was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Everyone who knew him adored him because of his positivity and unwavering passion for motorsport.”
Bagnaia spoke about how Salvadori’s love for the sport radiated in everything he did. “He always found a way to share his passion with us, especially through his social media videos. His energy was contagious, and the way he talked about racing was incredible.”
Salvadori’s joyful personality left a lasting impression on Bagnaia. “He was such a positive guy, and people like that are invaluable. They bring happiness into your life, and that’s exactly what Luca did for me and everyone around him. We’re going to miss him so much, but I’ll hold onto all the great memories and the energy he gave us.”
The tribute was bittersweet for Bagnaia, who acknowledged how difficult it is to fill the void left by Salvadori’s passing. “Making a tribute for him isn’t easy because no gesture can truly make up for the loss. But I’ll carry his memory with me always.”
Salvadori’s team, Broncos Racing, made the devastating announcement confirming his death following a fatal accident on the Frohburg road circuit. Despite medical efforts, the injuries Salvadori sustained in the crash were too severe, and he tragically succumbed to his injuries. The team expressed their grief, writing, “With infinite pain, we announce the loss of our Luca Salvadori. His absence will be deeply felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
In a heartfelt message, they added, “And we’ll still be looking at the horizon waiting to see you come out of the next curve. Bye Luca.”
The Emilia Romagna MotoGP weekend, where Bagnaia and his team are competing, continues from September 20-22, before the MotoGP calendar moves on to Indonesia and Japan in the following weeks. Despite the intense schedule, Bagnaia’s tribute to Salvadori serves as a poignant reminder of the close-knit bonds shared within the racing community and the lasting impact Salvadori had on those around him.
