Tributes for Michele Alboreto.

Niki Lauda and Alain Prost are among those paying tribute to former grand prix star Michele Alboreto killed yesterday while testing for the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Niki Lauda told the BBC: "I do not know what happened with the accident, but I knew Michele from my racing days and he was a really nice guy. I don't know anybody who would say anything wrong about him. He was well-educated and a real gentleman."

"He won a few races and did a good job on the track during his career. It is obvious he still enjoyed racing, he would not be doing it otherwise. He did not need the money and his age was not that old to drive sportscars. But people have to realise that motor racing is dangerous."

Four times F1 World Champion Alain Prost added: "I adored Michele. I first competed against him in Formula 3 and then had a really good battle with him when I won my first world title in 1985. With his death goes a part of my career and my life as a driver."

Rene Arnoux, Alboreto's Ferrari team mate in 1985, told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport that he had often asked the Italian why he did not call it a day. "And his only reply was to suggest I drive too. 'Go on, try it too. These sportscars are easy to drive and you feel like you're in Formula One.' He was a true friend."

Pierluigi Martini, Alboreto's team mate at Minardi in 1994 continued: "I also told him to quit, with the career he had behind him what more could he have wished for?"

Riccardo Patrese added: "What hurts me most is thinking that he was really only racing for fun, he was doing it out of passion. Michele had a thousand other interests but he never quite managed to do without it (motor racing)."

Current F1 driver Rubens Barrichello has also paid tribute to the former Ferrari driver. The Brazilian said: "I am very sad about what has happened to Michele. He was always bright and happy. I remember when I was sad about the death of Ayrton Senna and I got to know him because he was a friend of Ayrton's. We exchanged a few words and those in Portuguese. When we met he would often give me a hug. I am very sorry about this sad event and my thoughts are with his family at this moment."