GT and endurance racer Cédric Sbirrazzuoli died on Thursday, 20 August, on his 39th birthday, prompting tributes from across the motorsport community.
Across a career spanning more than two decades, Sbirrazzuoli competed in an extensive range of GT and endurance championships, building particularly strong associations with AF Corse and Ferrari. His career took him through the European and Asian Le Mans Series, GT World Challenge Europe and America, IMSA, Italian GT competition and several prominent one-make series.
The news prompted tributes from teams, championships and colleagues across the sport, remembering not only Sbirrazzuoli’s ability behind the wheel but also the warmth and enthusiasm he brought to the paddock.
From single-seaters to a long career in GT racing
Sbirrazzuoli began racing cars in the mid-2000s, initially competing in single-seaters before moving into closed-wheel competition. He subsequently raced in GT4, GT2 and Porsche Carrera Cup machinery before establishing himself across a variety of international GT categories.
His association with AF Corse became one of the defining relationships of his career. He competed for the Italian operation across Maserati one-make competition and several generations of Ferrari GT machinery, including the 458 Italia GT3, 488 and, more recently, the 296 GT3.
AF Corse paid tribute to a driver it had worked alongside for many years, highlighting the qualities Sbirrazzuoli brought both inside and outside the car.
“You were a highly talented, determined and professional driver, with the passion and the will to win that are unique to those who truly love racing. But you were also so much more: a genuine, respectful and cheerful person, capable of bringing wholesome enthusiasm and your own special way of living out your passion for motorsport,” recalled AF Corse following the news of his death.
“It was a privilege to work and dream together. Your race came to an end far too soon. Your memory will continue to race on forever. We send our warmest thoughts to your wife, your parents and all your loved ones. Farewell, Cedric. Rest in peace.”
Success across Europe and GT World Challenge
Sbirrazzuoli also competed extensively in European endurance racing. He appeared in the European Le Mans Series and later returned to the Le Mans ecosystem through the Michelin Le Mans Cup, adding further variety to a career that stretched across numerous championships and manufacturers.
GT World Challenge competition became another significant part of his career. Sbirrazzuoli achieved particular success during the 2022 GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup, where he claimed Pro-Am victories and multiple podium finishes with AF Corse.
He also contested several editions of the 24 Hours of Spa, further strengthening his association with some of GT racing’s most demanding events.
Beyond Europe, Sbirrazzuoli competed in Asia and North America, gradually establishing himself as a regular presence within international endurance racing.
Petit Le Mans victory marks defining IMSA success
Sbirrazzuoli joined Conquest Racing’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship programme in 2024, sharing the No. 34 Ferrari 296 GT3 with Albert Costa and Manny Franco during the Michelin Endurance Cup events.
The season brought podium finishes at Daytona and Watkins Glen before the trio claimed GTD victory at Petit Le Mans. That result became one of the defining achievements of Sbirrazzuoli’s career and represented the high point of his time in IMSA competition.
Across 19 WeatherTech Championship appearances, Sbirrazzuoli secured three podium finishes while building on experience that had begun through Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America.
His Petit Le Mans triumph provided a fitting example of the qualities that defined much of his career: endurance, teamwork and the ability to deliver in major long-distance races.
IMSA remembers valued member of its paddock
Sbirrazzuoli’s relationship with IMSA stretched across much of the previous decade, beginning in Lamborghini Super Trofeo before progressing into the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
IMSA President John Doonan paid tribute to his achievements and the impression he left across the championship.
“All of us in the IMSA family are mourning the loss of Cedric Sbirrazzuoli. Cedric was a talented driver and valued member of the IMSA paddock for the better part of a decade, beginning as a competitor in Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and progressing into the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. His greatest IMSA achievement came at Motul Petit Le Mans in 2024 when he and his teammates celebrated a well-deserved and hard-earned GTD race victory, one of three podium results he earned in his 19 WeatherTech Championship appearances. We extend heartfelt sympathies to Cedric’s family, teammates and his many friends here in the IMSA paddock and throughout the world of sports car endurance racing. He will be sorely missed.”
The European Le Mans Series and SRO Motorsports Group also issued messages following his death, reflecting how widely his career extended across the endurance racing community.
Career stretched across generations of GT machinery
Sbirrazzuoli’s career did not follow one championship or manufacturer path. Instead, it developed through single-seaters, Porsche competition, Maserati one-make racing, Lamborghini programmes and a long association with Ferrari.
He competed across Europe, Asia and North America and raced at major endurance venues including Spa-Francorchamps, Daytona, Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta. His results included victories in GT World Challenge competition, endurance podiums and the 2024 Petit Le Mans GTD win.
His long-standing involvement with AF Corse also allowed him to compete across multiple generations of Ferrari GT machinery as the category evolved. That adaptability helped make him a familiar presence within GT paddocks around the world.
Sbirrazzuoli remembered for more than results
Although Sbirrazzuoli achieved significant success throughout his career, the tributes following his death have focused heavily on the person behind those results.
AF Corse remembered him as genuine, respectful and cheerful, while IMSA highlighted his value to its paddock throughout almost a decade of competition. Those sentiments reflect the relationships Sbirrazzuoli built while competing across numerous championships and teams.
His career touched many areas of modern GT and endurance racing, from one-make competition to some of the sport’s biggest long-distance events. Along the way, he became closely associated with Ferrari and AF Corse while also building a substantial record in North America.
Sbirrazzuoli leaves behind a career defined by versatility, persistence and success across several generations of GT competition.
Pit Debrief extends its condolences to Sbirrazzuoli’s wife Martina, his family, friends, teammates and all those who knew him.
