Alonso pays heartfelt tribute to late physio Fabrizio Borra

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Formula 1 veteran Fernando Alonso has paid a heartfelt tribute to his long-time physiotherapist and close friend, Fabrizio Borra, who passed away last Sunday in Italy after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Borra, born in Brescia, was more than just a member of Alonso’s support team – he was a constant presence throughout the two-time world champion’s racing career.

Their partnership began when Alonso first entered Formula 1 with Minardi in 2001 and endured through every twist and turn of his journey across multiple teams, including Renault, Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine, and Aston Martin.

A Constant Presence Through Glory and Grit

Borra wasn’t only known for his work with Alonso. The respected physio was a familiar figure in the F1 paddock, having also worked with Michael Schumacher during his recovery from a broken leg suffered by the great German in a crash at Silverstone in 1999.

Borra also lent his expertise to athletes beyond Formula 1, including MotoGP rider Andrea Dovizioso and famed cyclist Marco Pantani.

But it was his two-decade-long relationship with Alonso that truly defined his legacy in motorsport.

On Sunday, Alonso took to social media to bid farewell to his close friend and confidant.

“I’ll miss you, Fabri. Every day. Thank you for teaching me so much and making me a better person and athlete,” he write.

“My whole career with you has been the greatest good fortune I could have. Rest in peace, brother.”

As Alonso reflected on their 24 years together, from Minardi’s modest garages to Ferrari’s scarlet legacy, he saw a career blessed by Borra’s unwavering support.

The physiotherapist’s battle with cancer had been a private struggle, but his passing has left a void felt deeply by the Spaniard and the wider F1 community.

As the 2025 season continues, Alonso carries Borra’s lessons with him, a quiet tribute to a man who helped him become one of F1’s greatest.

In the blur of the racetrack, where every second counts, Alonso’s heartfelt farewell reminds us of the human connections that endure beyond the finish line. Fabrizio Borra’s legacy lives on – in the champion he shaped and the lives he touched.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.