Felix Baumgartner, Motorsport Icon, Dies in Paragliding Accident
Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian daredevil renowned for his record-setting skydive from the stratosphere, has tragically passed away at age 56 following a paragliding accident in Italy.
Baumgartner gained international recognition in 2012 when he completed a historic jump from a helium balloon positioned nearly 39 kilometers above Earth. This mission allowed him to not only break the sound barrier during free fall—reaching an estimated speed of Mach 1.25—but also set world records for vertical free-fall distance without a drogue parachute and maximum vertical speed.
In addition to his aerial feats, Baumgartner had a successful stint in motorsports, racing for Audi Sport. He participated in major GT events, achieving top-10 finishes at the Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2014 and the Bathurst 12 Hour in 2015. His contributions to both extreme sports and motorsport have left an indelible mark on the industry.
The motorsports community mourns his loss, reflecting on both his remarkable achievements and fearless spirit.
