Emilio Botin, the president of Santander, has died
Emilio Botin, the president of the Spanish bank Santander - highly active in F1 as a sponsor of Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, McLaren, and several Grand Prix - has passed away.
The president of Santander Bank, Emilio Botin, has died at the age of 79 from a heart attack. He developed the company which is today the largest European bank with 1.4 trillion euros in assets and 200,000 employees worldwide.
His involvement in Formula 1 began in 2007 when, deciding that the discipline would be the best way to boost his company’s image, he decided to sponsor McLaren at the time of Fernando Alonso’s arrival. He developed ties with the latter to the point that Santander would support his move to Ferrari, while remaining McLaren’s sponsor and being the title sponsor of several Grand Prix events.
The double Spanish world champion obviously paid tribute to him on his Twitter account where we can read: « Wednesday, I dined with Don Emilio, we had planned a new bike ride in Singapore… A friend leaves us, a great friend. »
El miércoles cené con Don Emilio, planeábamos otra vuelta en bici en Singapur…
A friend leaves us, a great friend. pic.twitter.com/P9w672iGsO
— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) 10 September 2014
Shortly after, it was Lewis Hamilton who posted a message on the social network: « This is for my dear friend Emilio Botin who unfortunately passed away. I will miss you dearly! »
This is for my dear friend Emilio Botin has sadly passed away. I will miss you dearly! #RIP https://t.co/jTjQeAelIl pic.twitter.com/PdKIvaiT4z
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) 10 Septembre 2014
For his part, Ron Dennis, chairman of McLaren and director of the McLaren F1 team at the beginning of the collaboration with Botin, spoke about his friend to *Autosport*: « Passionate and charming, he was firm but always fair. I feel privileged to have known him, and proud to be able to consider him a friend. He loved motorsport: there was no one more enthusiastic in the Mercedes garage than him when a victory was won. The world has lost a great man. »
On the side of Scuderia Ferrari, finally, a message on Twitter expresses sadness: « Sad day today. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the president Emilio Botin. »
