Monégasque Racing Driver Cédric Sbirrazzuoli Dies at 39 After Cancer Battle

The motorsport world is mourning the loss of Cédric Sbirrazzuoli, a distinguished Monégasque racing driver, who passed away on August 20, his 39th birthday. Sbirrazzuoli succumbed to cancer after a courageous fight. He was a well-regarded figure in the endurance and GT racing circuits, known for his skill and dedication.

His career, which began in the mid-2000s, saw him compete in various single-seater categories before transitioning to touring car racing. He later participated in GT4, GT2, and Porsche Carrera Cup championships. His association with AF Corse provided him opportunities to race Ferraris, including the 458 Italia GT3, 488, and most recently, the 296 model. Sbirrazzuoli also competed in European and Asian Le Mans Series, GT World Challenge Europe and America, the Italian GT Championship, and IMSA events.

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You were an incredibly talented, determined, and professional driver, characterized by passion and a desire to win – qualities inherent in those who truly love racing. But you were much more: a sincere, respectful, and cheerful person, capable of infecting others with pure enthusiasm and experiencing the passion for motorsport in your own special way. It was a great honor to work and dream together. Your race ended far too soon, but your memory will race on forever. Our deepest condolences to your wife, parents, and all your loved ones. Goodbye, Cédric. Rest in peace.

In 2024, Sbirrazzuoli achieved podium finishes in the IMSA Endurance Cup at Daytona and Watkins Glen with Conquest Racing, driving the No. 34 Ferrari. He also secured a victory at Petit Le Mans. His professional life was also marked by his marriage to Martina in June of the previous year.

Messages of condolence have poured in from the racing community. The AF Corse team remembered him as an "incredibly talented, determined, and professional driver, characterized by passion and a desire to win." They also highlighted his personal qualities, describing him as a "sincere, respectful, and cheerful person" who brought "pure enthusiasm" to motorsport. Driver Michelle Gatting paid tribute, noting Sbirrazzuoli's recent battle with cancer and drawing a parallel to another friend, Luca Persiani, who died last year. She urged others to cherish life's moments, inspired by Sbirrazzuoli's full life lived despite its brevity.

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Today, his close friend Cédric joined Luca in heaven. It is incredibly hard to believe that another wonderful person has left this world far too soon. Cédric fought cancer with all his might, but unfortunately, he could not win this battle. But I certainly know that he lived life to the fullest. Perhaps we should all remember that, because life can be incredibly short. Now, up high, two wonderful people have met again. They are looking down on us and probably expect us to cherish every moment, laugh louder, love stronger, and live as fully as they did.