personality , '' Ito said on Honda 's official website . `` With a promising future on the Grand Prix circuit , Marco had both genuine ability and a large following among racing fans . `` We are very thankful for his sterling results riding for Honda Racing Corporation as a factory rider . We express our heartfelt condolences to Marco 's family . '' Last year 's title winner Jorge Lorenzo missed the race due to surgery on his finger , but the Yamaha rider also paid tribute to Simoncelli -- who was sixth in the 2011 MotoGP standings at the time of his death . `` I do n't know what to say on a day like today , '' Lorenzo said via his official Twitter account . `` Only that you will be missed - rest in peace Marco . '' Another former world champion to pay his respects to the Cattolica-born star was 2006 winner and current Ducati rider Nicky Hayden . `` Sometimes life just do n't make sense , '' said the American . `` RIP # 58 you were a star on & off track we all going to miss you . ''
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The motorsport community was in mourning on Monday as competitors from across various racing disciplines paid tribute to Marco Simoncelli , the Italian MotoGP rider who lost his life after a crash in Malaysia on Sunday . Simoncelli , 24 , sustained critical injuries when he was struck by compatriot Valentino Rossi and American Colin Edwards after losing control of his Honda bike and sliding across Turn 11 of the Sepang Circuit . Rossi , a seven-time MotoGP world champion , used the @ValeYellow46 Twitter account to pay tribute to Simoncelli , who he described as `` a younger brother . '' `` Sic -LSB- Simoncelli 's nickname -RSB- for me was like a youngest brother . So strong on track and so sweet in the normal life . I will miss him a lot , '' read the Tweet . Simoncelli killed in Malaysia crash Honda president and CEO Takanobu Ito praised Simoncelli 's commitment and personality , while expressing the team 's gratitude for the results he achieved during two seasons with the Japanese outfit . `` Marco Simoncelli was a passionate rider bubbling over with a challenging spirit and blessed with a cheerful