(Getty)
Legendary Formula One mechanic Nigel Stepney was killed after being hit by a truck in the early morning hours of May 2 in Kent, England, reports The Daily Telegraph. Stepney’s career was synonymous with the “Spy Gate” scandal in Formula One.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He Died at the Scene
Ferrari team manager Nigel Stepney in the paddock during practice for the Chinese F1 Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit on October 14, 2005, in Shanghai, China. (Getty)
Police Kent have released a statement:
A silver VW caddy van, driven by a 56 year-old man from the Essex area, had stopped on the hard shoulder of the M20 Londonbound carriageway at Ashford.
For reasons yet to be established, the man appears to have entered the carriageway and was then in collision with an articulated goods vehicle. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
2. He Helped Ferrari Dominate F1
Nigel Stepney celebrates after Michael Schumacher wins the formula one world championship at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Japan. (Getty)
Stepney was an integral part of the hugely successful Ferrari team that dominated Formula One in the 2000s.
3. Stepney Did Time in Prison For His Role in ‘Spy-Gate’
Nigel Stepney of Ferrari shows Fawzi Ahmed Kanoo around the Ferrari garage prior to the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix at the Bahrain Racing Circuit on March 31, 2004 in Sakhir, Bahrain. (Getty)
He will be remembered for his role in the “Spy-Gate” affair when he passed 800 pages of document about Ferrari car design to the rival McClaren designer Mike Coughlan. The scandal became uncovered when Coughlan’s wife was found to be photocopying the documents at a local copy story. For his part in the scandal, he was sentenced to 20 months prison.
4. He Moved Into Touring Cars Later in His Career
Later in his career, he served as team manager for Sumo Power in British Touring Cars.
5. He Leaves Behind a Loving Family
Nigel Stepney of Ferrari poses for the camera during the 1998 British Grand Prix held at Silverstone, Northamptonshire, England. (Getty)
According to the BBC, he is survived by his partner, Ash, and daughter, Sabine.