Red Bull icon and 'world's fastest man' passes away after failed paragliding jump

Yesterday, Baumgartner passed away after a failed paraglide jump. The Austrian reportedly suffered a medical episode, after which he lost control during paragliding and ended up crashing into a swimming pool in Italy, according to the country's media.

On Instagram, Christian Horner honored Baumgartner: ‘’Rest in peace," he wrote over a photo of the Austrian in an astronaut suit.

To the general public, Baumgartner was known as the man who made the highest parachute jump ever. In 2012, he jumped from over 39 kilometres up in space and, after just over ten minutes, completed the jump and returned to Earth. The jump was followed by millions of people around the world. Over the attempt, he reached a speed of 1357.64, recording the fastest speed without a vehicle, also breaking the sound barrier.

Baumgertner has a past in racing as well, as he finished in ninth place at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring back in 2014.

In 2019, Verstappen took Baumgartner for a lap around the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. The Austrian also posted a video of the car's brakes catching fire, laughing with the now four-time world champion.