The 60-year-old reportedly fell ill with the virus shortly before Christmas, before being taken to hospital in Imola on 27th December. When his condition worsened three days later, he was moved to the intensive care unit of the Maggiore Carlo Alberto Pizzardi hospital in Bologna.
He was placed in a coma and despite his condition improving in January, he subsequently caught pneumonia. His condition worsened late last week and he sadly passed away today, as revealed by his team in a statement this morning.
"The news we would have never wanted to give, and that unfortunately we are forced to share with all of you,” it read. “After nearly two months battling against COVID, Fausto Gresini has sadly passed away, few days after turning 60.
"All of Gresini Racing are close to Fausto’s family in support: his wife Nadia and the four children Lorenzo, Luca, Alice and Agnese... as well as everyone who had the chance to get to know him and love him throughout the years."