Born on the 15th November 1944, he founded the MOMO car accessories company. The name is a combonation of the first two letters of Moretti and Monza. Sold in 1996, MOMO had acquired a solid reputation on both road and track, with MOMO becoming the official steering wheel on cars of the American Champ Car series from 2004 to 2007, and the Ferrari F430, launched in 2004. Gianpiero Moretti also won an enviable record as a driver and team manager, with many successes in endurance racing, mainly in the United States, as well as four entries in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In the early 90s, he persuaded Piero Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo and Jean Todt (head of the Scuderia Ferrari in 1993 after his departure from Peugeot) to build a prototype for the 24 Hours. Intended for private teams, the SP 333 made its first appearance at Le Mans in 1995, 21 years after the last appearance of a Ferrari prototype in La Sarthe. Gianpiero Moretti recorded his best result at the 24 Hours, finishing sixth in 1997 before winning the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1998, together with Mauro Baldi, Arie Luyendyk and Didier Theys. Note also that same year, the SP 333 of the Doyle-Risi finished eighth at Le Mans, winning the LM P1 category at the end of a race dominated by the GTs of Porsche and Toyota. Superb results that ensure Gianpiero Moretti a place in the history of Ferrari, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and motor racing.

To his family and relatives, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest presents its sincere condolences.

Jean-Philippe Doret

Photo : CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES (LE MANS, SARTHE), 24 HEURES DU MANS, 14 and 15 JUNE 1997. Driving the Ferrari 333 SP, Gianpiero Moretti finished sixth accompanied by Italian Max Papis and Belgian Didier Theys.