Alex Florio has died

Alex Fiorio didn’t make it. He fought just as he used to on the rally stages to beat the final opponent who had stood in his way, but he was unable to overcome him. The illness had taken too firm a hold on his body and, having turned 61 in March, his knowledgeable, outspoken and irreverent voice ceased to fill the social media platforms where he had a loyal following of enthusiasts. He had retreated to Puglia to be with his father Cesare ever since the former sporting director of Lancia and Ferrari had been the victim of a serious cycling accident. Masseria Camarda had become his new kingdom and that of his family, starting with his daughter Mariapaola. He had taken up farming with his father, and they had even built a rally track to host the Coppa Fiorio, as well as to offer driving lessons. It was a new lease of life after having been one of Italy’s finest road racers, with the highlight of a Group N World Championship title in 1987. He drove a Lancia, of course. Back when the Lancia was still the queen of those races. During Lancia’s two-year reign in the World Rally Championship (1988–1989), he was the team’s second driver behind Miki Biasion: he finished on the podium nine times (six second places and three third places).

In his latest Instagram post on 13 July, he explained that, having recovered from a nasty infection, he was about to start another round of chemotherapy. “I’ll get through this!” he said. But then he stopped appearing in videos to comment on the Grand Prix races in July. Even during the weeks he was ill, he had never missed an opportunity to give his views and share some of his own anecdotes.

Fiery, outspoken, unafraid to say a word too many. He had clear ideas and stood by them. He could do so because he knew how to hold a steering wheel and, thanks to his chats with Dad, he also knew how to manage a team at the very highest level.

On 8 June, he announced his battle on Instagram: “So many of you have written to me: ‘Alex, you look well, you’ve lost weight…’ I believe you – I have cancer… I was diagnosed three days ago. I have cancer of the stomach, of the pylorus… I’ll fight. I’m strong and I’ll fight. I don’t want messages of comfort, I just want to let you know that we probably won’t be in touch for a few days.” An announcement in his own way, with a smile more bitter than usual, but a smile nonetheless. He’d returned to video, even thinner, but still as outspoken as ever. Still full of life. He’d given us hope, even though those close to him were sending us rather worrying messages and he was replying to WhatsApp messages with just a few words. Have a safe journey, Alex; you’ve had a wonderful, fast-paced life. Perhaps too fast for the many who loved you and still love you. Not just your dad Cesare, your mum Francesca, your wife Oxana, your daughters Mariapaola and Francesca, your brother Cristiano and your sister Giorgia. But everyone who first cheered you on and then followed your exploits as an outspoken commentator.