'Deeply saddened': F1 rocked by death of trailblazing engineer
Formula One is mourning the tragic death of former Ferrari and Williams engineer Antonia Terzi at age 50.
Terzi was killed in a car accident in the UK this week, leaving the motorsport world in shock.
Born in Italy, Terzi was best known for creating the famous 'walrus nose' that appeared on Williams cars in 2004.
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After studying aerodynamics in Italy and the UK, Terzi joined Ferrari and worked with the likes of Michael Schumacher.
She then joined Williams in 2001 and became the team's chief aerodynamicist.
She was one of the first women to take a senior role in the male-dominated Formula One world.
Terzi caused a stir ahead of the 2004 season when the FW26 car was revealed with its unique 'Walrus nose'.
The idea was to shorten the nose as much as possible in a bid to maximise downforce and minimise drag.
Terzi then moved away from motorsport to join luxury car manufacturer Bentley as their head of aerodynamics.
She moved into teaching in recent years and became a professor at the Australian National University in Canberra in 2020.
Terzi planned to move to Canberra but was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former colleague and chief aerodynamicist, Antonia Terzi.
Our thoughts go out to Antonia's friends and family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/lgrhmanuQmβ Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) November 1, 2021
Tributes flow after tragic death of Antonia Terzi
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former colleague and chief aerodynamicist, Antonia Terzi," Williams said in a statement.
"Our thoughts go out to Antonia's friends and family at this difficult time."
ANU said in a statement they were: "Deeply saddened by Antonia's passing, and we share this mourning with the whole of the ANU community".
"There are many tributes emerging from the Formula 1 community, each showcasing just how much of an impact that Antonia had, both as an exceptional aerodynamicist, and as an exceptional colleague."
Tributes have also been flooding in on social media.
"Weβre so sad to hear that former F1 aerodynamicist Antonia Terzi has passed away," tweeted the Females in Motorsport account.
"As the inspiration behind the famous βwalrus noiseβ on the Williams FW26 in 2004, she was a true trailblazer and an inspiration to women everywhere."
Weβre so sad to hear that former F1 aerodynamicist Antonia Terzi has passed away.
As the inspiration behind the famous βwalrus noiseβ on the Williams FW26 in 2004, she was a true trailblazer and an inspiration to women everywhere.
πΈ - @Motorsport #WomenInMotorsport #F1 pic.twitter.com/G5cx0ZCnpgβ Females in Motorsport (@FemalesinMSport) November 1, 2021
Sad news as former #F1 aerodynamicist Antonia Terzi, who helped design the famous Williams 'walrus nose' from 2004, passes away. https://t.co/rKvRke6nt1
β Jon Noble (@NobleF1) November 1, 2021
I loved the Walrus nose so much that i actually bought one as a kid.... Thank you Antonia Terzi! RIP! pic.twitter.com/vSaFrg3SIp
β Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) November 1, 2021
Sad news. Former chief aero at Team Willy, Antonia Terzi, who has died in a road accident. https://t.co/dLmS99ROqP
β Joe Saward (@joesaward) November 1, 2021
Rest in Peace Antonia Terzi Williams and Ferrariβs aero-designer she sadly passed away in a car accident. My prayers go out to her family and friends during this difficult time ππ pic.twitter.com/AVKcH96SoF
β Zoey ββ.ββ (@f1fangirl_) November 2, 2021
Iβm terribly sad to learn of the tragic accident that claimed the life of Prof Antonia Terzi, a valued colleague and member of the @anucecs community. My thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. https://t.co/QRpfxHbiHL
β Elanor Huntington (@profElanor) November 2, 2021
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