MotoGP team owner and 125cc champion Fausto Gresini is now in a critical condition after complications in his battle with COVID-19.

Gresini has been in hospital since late-December after contracting the virus before Christmas, and had been said to be making slow progress at the end of last month.

However, the 60-year-old’s condition has deteriorated since then, resulting in him being put back into a medically-induced coma sometime during February.

The latest update from Dr Nicola Cilloni, via Gresini Racing, advises also that permanent organ damage is a possibility.

“Fausto Gresini is still hospitalised in the intensive care unit of Bologna’s Maggiore Hospital due to a persisting severe respiratory insufficiency following a COVID-19 infection,” said Dr Cilloni.

“Unfortunately, complications have occurred, which made the current clinical picture critical.

“The hospital staff are continuing the treatment with the highest-possible intensity, with the hope of a recovery of the organ functionality – which has been severely compromised.

“He is still supported by a mechanical respirator and in a medically-induced coma.”

Gresini won the lightweight class title in 1985 and 1987 while his eponymous team has claimed four titles across Moto2/250cc, Moto3, and MotoE since being founded in 1997.

Gresini Racing will again compete as Aprilia’s factory MotoGP team this year before reverting to Independent status when the new participation cycle commences in 2022.