Former F1 driver and team owner, Adrian Campos Suner, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, as motor racing community joined in to remember him.
Having started his career as a racer, Adrian moved to team malmanagement role, with Campos competing in various championships, including F1, F2, F3 and more. The Spaniard made his debut in the pinnacle of racing in 1987 with Minardi.
His career didn’t last long in F1 as Adrian then switched to team management role. His team was one of the four outfits allowed an entry in 2010 but before they could, the finances went bleak, as they were forced to find a new backer.
Campos remained a partner but eventually the HRT outfit disbanded after few years. While F1 didn’t work out as he hoped for, the junior running, whether F2 or F3 or Euroformula Open or even the Spanish championships, the team has done well.
His death shocked the motor racing community. The Campos team released a small statement on his passing: “It is with great sadness that Campos Racing regrets to inform that Adrian Campos Suner, founder and Chairman of the team, has sadly passed away today as a consequence of a sudden coronary disease.
“The whole Campos family and racing team feel his terrible loss, but also the immense privilege to have worked alongside a man as courageous and innovative as Adrian. Motorsport was the way of life of Adrian: his determination and human quality will forever be the model and reference for each and everyone of us. His legacy in the motorsport community is enormous, and both his family and his team will always protect it.”
The motor racing community paid homage to Adrian Campos – a lot of his current rivals in F2/F3 passed on their messages too:
https://twitter.com/JaitkenRacer/status/1354595511781765121?s=20
Si no fuera por ti, yo no estaría dónde estoy. DEP Adrián. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/syGFmCg6U5
— Alex Palou Montalbo (@AlexPalou) January 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/MahindraRacing/status/1354694459829723137?s=20
We’re all so shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Adrian Campos, former #F1 driver with Minardi and team principal of @CamposRacing in @FIA_F2. A friend and a true gentleman, yet always a competitive racer, he is gone far too soon. Descanse en paz, amigo. pic.twitter.com/WIZeBSl9ZC
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) January 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/BoschungRalph/status/1354680156598771712?s=20
Carlos Sainz Sr: “We are very sorry for the death of Adrián Campos, driver, manager, enthusiastic entrepreneur of Spanish motorsport. Our memory and all our encouragement for the whole family. Life reminds us that our path here is unknown and can be capricious. DEP ADRAN”
Calos Sainz Jr: “Very sad day for the death of Adrián Campos, undoubtedly a benchmark of our sport in Spain and internationally. My sincere condolences to all his family and friends. DEP ADRIAN”
Fernando Alonso: “One of the saddest days for the motorsports family. Driver and great promoter of this sport. Thank you for dreaming about Formula 1. Thank you for believing in young people. Thank you and rest in Peace.”
Dani Juncadella: “Rest in peace, Adrian. The legacy you leave to the world of Spanish motorsports is immense. We will always owe you. A big hug from here to his family and close people, especially his children Adri and Lucas.”
Allan McNish: Sad news that Adrián has passed. I’ve known him for many years and most recently enjoyed many a coffee behind the Mahindra pits talking all things racing. He was a passionate “real racer” and he will be sadly missed.”
Roberto Merhi: “I wake up with very sad news. Adrian Campos has left us a great person. Thank you very much for helping me and supporting Spanish motorsport so much. A big hug for the family of Campos in these hard times.”
Aspar Team: “Jorge Martinez Aspar and the Aspar Team want to show their condolences for the death of Adrian Campos to his loved ones, and to the entire family of the Campos family. The motor world loses a reference, we lose a friend. Rest in peace.”
Alex Jacques: “Incredibly sad news about Adrian Campos, a true racer and lovely guy. Thoughts with his friends, family and the team.”
Ferrari Driver Academy: “Driver, team owner, talent scout, but above all, someone who loved motorsport. RIP Adrian.”
Pippa Mann: “I am sorry for your loss.”
Mark Gallagher: “This is very sad news about Adrian Campos. First knew him when he drove a Tyrrell in F3000, later dealt with him when Cosworth supplied his 2010 F1 project with engines & witnessed his disappointment at not being able to fulfil that dream. Lovely guy, passionate about the sport.”
F1: “We are very sad to learn of the passing of Adrian Campos As a driver and then founder and president of Campos Racing, Adrian leaves an incredible legacy in motorsport We send our condolences to his family and friends, and all at Campos.”
Karun Chandhok: “Very sad to wake up to news that Adrian Campos has passed away. I did my first GP2 test with him at the end of 2006 & remained friends ever since. A true racer who always enjoyed a chat about all things motorsport & a lovely man. Deep condolences to Campos and his family.
Valencia CF Team: “Valencia CF want to express their sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and the motoring world as a whole for the passing of the Valencian Adrian Campos, Spanish historic Formula 1 driver. R.I.P.”
From everyone at FormulaRapida.net, we pass on our condolences to his family
More messages to be added as they come