ABU DHABI - 23rd of April, 2014 - The UIM F1 H2O World Championship series has lost one of their true "gentleman" racers as 65 year-old Franco Leidi passed away a few days ago in his native Italy.
Born in San Pietro, in 1949 and living in Bergamo for many years, Franco was one of the elder statesman of the F1 scene stretching his career in the world's foremost racing series for 11 seasons retiring from the sport following the 2007 campaign.
Franco, first raced in the Italian Formula 1300 class back in 1978. In 1995, he became the European R2000 Champion. The following year he established a new speed record for the R2000 class. Using his DAC boat he achieved 190.52 Kph.
He made his F1 debut in 1997 with the Mare Magnum organization as teammate to Guiseppe Cabrini at the Hungarian Grand Prix in the steel city of Dunaujvaros. His best season was in 2000 when he finished eighth in the drivers championship earning 31 points.
In his combined 73 Grand Prix starts, Franco's most memorable weekend came after qualifying a disappointing 17th he would go on however to charge his way up the field finishing a well earned fifth place at the 2001 Grand Prix of Portugal in Portimao on the Algarve coast.
His final race came in the 2007 season competing with the Singha Team along with fellow Italian star Francesco Cantando starting 22nd and earning his last point in the F1 series with a fine 10th place finish.
Franco earned the well-deserved "John Hill Memorial Trophy"in Abu Dhabi in 1999 for his overall sportsmanship in the series. A great tribute to a great man.
Franco leaves a wife and two children as well as great memories for all who knew him.
God's speed "Franco". You will always be remembered for your love of the sport while being loved by the members of the UIM F1 H2O racing community who will never forget your enthusiastic charm and style every time you arrived at any Grand Prix.
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