Former F1 driver Andrea De Cesaris dies aged 55 in motorbike accident

Former Formula 1 driver Andrea De Cesaris has passed away at the age of 55 following a motorbike accident in Rome.

The official F1 website confirmed the news last night that De Cesaris, who previously raced for McLaren, was killed in the road accident.

The Italian represented 10 teams in the sport during a 14-year career, reaching the podium five times, but he went a record 208 races without ever winning a Grand Prix.

After the news was confirmed, the McLaren team wrote on Twitter: "All at McLaren send condolences to ex-McLaren #F1 driver Andrea De Cesaris, who sadly passed away today."

De Cesaris, who set the fastest lap in the 1983 Belgian Grand Prix while racing for Alfa Romeo, recorded his best results with the same team in the 1983 German and South African races.