A Formula One driver turned commentator died aged 84, it was announced on Wednesday. Italian F1 star Andrea de Adamich represented Ferrari and McLaren among other brands during his career.

de Adamich raced in F1 between 1968 and 1973, making a total of 30 appearances. After racing for Ferrari in the 1968 South Africa GP, he drove McLaren in 1970. He earned a total of six points, between the 1972 and 1973 seasons, racing for the Surtees team first and Brabham in the latter season. 

With the world of Italian motorsport in mourning his death comes at the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix week, casting a shadow over the F1 community and the world of Italian television.

Participating in 34 World Championship Formula One Grands Prix de Adamich made his racing debut in 1962 behind the wheel of a Triumph TR3.

Born in Trieste in north-eastern Italy, De Adamich also raced for March, Surtees and Brabham. His career ended abruptly due to injuries sustained in a multiple-car pile-up at the British Grand Prix. The incident happened after driver Jody Scheckter lost control of his vehicle, car after car struck one another at high speed.

The nine-car pile-up was one of the largest accidents in F1 history. Astonishingly, the only driver to sustain injuries in the resulting chaos was de Adamich who suffered a broken ankle.

de Adamich retired the following year and became a respected motor sport journalist and TV pundit in his native Italy. From 1978 through 2012 he hosted the TV sport program Grand Prix on Italia 1.

Up until his death he was the vice-president of N.Technology which prepares race cars for Alfa Romeo. In recognition of his contribution to sport and media, Andrea de Adamich was appointed ‘Commendatore’ of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2022, one of the highest civilian honors in Italy.

He is survived by his wife, who he married in a civil ceremony in January 2010 and their three children.