MOMO founder passed on at age 71

Gianpiero Moretti has passed away in his home in Milan after a lengthy fight with illness. The founder of MOMO, a race equipment manufacturer renowned for their steering wheels, is also a driver for the racing team.

Moretti started the company when he was in his 20s, which grew to fame after Ferrari factory driver John Surtees choose a MOMO wheel in his F1 racer in 1964. Since then, the brand has grown to a manufacturing giant offering a wide variety of racing equipments, ranging from gear knobs to racing suits. 

As an avid race car driver, Moretti campaigned in numerous endurance racings with Ferrari and Porsche teams carrying MOMO liveries. Many remembered him as passionate, and life-loving, enjoying every event that he laid his hands on. Moretti and his team won the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen in 1998, after which he retired from the motorsports scene.