At a time when Formula One was already reeling with French driver Jules Bianchi battling for life after his serious crash in the Japanese Grand Prix another news filtered in of former F1 driver Andrea De Cesaris being killed in a motorcycle accident.
De Cesaris, who competed in the 1980s and 1990s, crashed his vehicle into a concrete barrier here Sunday, dying on impact, Xinhua reported sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport as saying.
De Cesaris, 55, raced for a host of teams including McLaren and took part in 208 F1 races but never won a Grand Prix.
"All at McLaren send condolences to ex-McLaren #F1 driver Andrea De Cesaris, who sadly passed away," his former team McLaren tweeted Sunday.
Marussia driver Bianchi is fighting for his life in hospital after surgery on a severe head injury sustained when he crashed into a vehicle recovering Adrian Sutil's Sauber at Suzuka also Sunday.