Alonso leads tributes after teenage Moto3 rider Perez dies

Fernando Alonso was among the motorsport luminaries to pay tribute to Andreas Perez after the motorcycle rider passed away after a crash during a Moto 3 Junior event. The Spanish rider was just 14 when he succumbed to injuries suffered at the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona on Sunday.

Perez was caught in an incident involving multiple riders during the race and received treatment on the track before he was airlifted to hospital.

MotoGP confirmed on Monday that he had died.

"Andreas has not been able to win this race," his Reale Avintia Racing team said in a statement.

"We have lost a great driver, but above all a great person and we will miss him very much."

Alonso posted on Twitter: Sad to hear the news of the death of young motorcycle rider Andreas Perez. Strength and a big hug to his family and friends."

Triste al enterarme de la noticia de la muerte del joven piloto de motos Andreas Pérez. Fuerza y un abrazo grande a familiares y amigos. — Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) June 11, 2018

MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez also paid tribute on social media: "Sad and speechless. I want to send all my support to the family and those closest to him. RIP Andreas."

Triste y sin palabras. Quiero mandar todo mi apoyo a la familia y a su gente más cercana. DEP Andreas. ???????? pic.twitter.com/VK3AmcmcpH — Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) June 11, 2018

Former F1 racer Mark Webber also reacted with sympathy to the news.

???????? https://t.co/pikGLb1VM3 — Mark Webber (@AussieGrit) June 11, 2018