'RIP my friend': Tributes flow from F1 drivers after death of F2 racer Anthoine Hubert
Formula One drivers and teams have united in their grief after the tragic death of Formula Two driver Anthoine Hubert at the Belgian Grand Prix.
The 22-year-old Frenchman died after a high-speed crash involving Juan Manual Correa at the Spa Francorchamps track.
Motorsport fans worldwide were shocked by the crash, which claimed the life of one of the sport’s rising talents.
Hubert had won twice in F2 this season, at the Monaco and French grand prix respectively.
Stars of the sport were left shattered by the accident, with many taking to social media to express their shock and condolences.
Devastating news. God bless your soul Anthoine. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today 🙏🏾😔
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) August 31, 2019
absolutely speechless.. what a tragedy!! my thoughts are with the family and friends of Anthoine Hubert 😔
— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) August 31, 2019
RIP Anthoine. How terrible. Sending thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Anthoine 💔 #racingunited
— Kevin Magnussen (@KevinMagnussen) August 31, 2019
Terrible news. RIP Antoine
— Romain Grosjean (@RGrosjean) August 31, 2019
Absolutely shocked by the tragic accident of Anthoine Hubert. Terrible. My thoughts are with him and his family, friends, team and loved ones. #F2 pic.twitter.com/NzLTSfqmqT
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) August 31, 2019
From everyone at ROKiT Williams Racing, our thoughts and prayers go out to the colleagues, friends and family of Anthoine Hubert following the tragic news in Spa today.
— ROKiT WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) August 31, 2019
I have no words. RIP https://t.co/ZMwu9GQQ9i
— Paul Di Resta (@PaulDiResta) August 31, 2019
I can not believe it. RIP my friend ❤ pic.twitter.com/vuiWBSMuPV
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) August 31, 2019
The entire Mercedes family sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Anthoine Hubert, and his Arden and Renault teams on this tragic day.
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) August 31, 2019
The second F2 sprint race of the race weekend, to be held on Sunday (Monday AEST), was cancelled by the FIA.
The Formula 1 grand prix is still scheduled to go ahead as planned.
Hubert was considered a rising talent in F2, signed to the Renault Sport Academy after winning the GP3 championship in 2018.
The official Twitter account for the Renault F1 team posted a lengthy tribute to the driver, calling him a ‘huge talent’ who had a bright future ahead of him.
Renault team principal, Cyril Abiteboul, said Hubert was a ‘true gentleman’.
“Our thoughts are with Anthoine’s friends and family at this tragic time. Anthoine was a bright young man,” Abiteboul said.
“His performance and conduct on and off track was that of a true gentleman and it was a pleasure and honour to have had him within our Academy.
“He will be sorely missed by our teams at Enstone and Viry. His spirit will remain with the team and we will race in his memory.”
Motorsport world in shock
Former Formula One driver Jenson Button described the 22-year-old Frenchman, who died in a crash at the high-speed Spa-Francorchamps track on Saturday, as "super talented".
"Devastating news from Spa today, the super talented Anthoine Hubert succumbed to his injuries after an accident in today's F2 race," the British former Brawn and McLaren driver tweeted.
"Rest in peace Champion."
Button made his comments while retweeting a post from TV presenter Jake Humphrey, formerly the BBC's face of Formula One, for which Formula Two acts as a feeder championship.
Humphrey described Hubert's death as "heartbreaking", adding: "He was just 22, a huge talent and real racer. Utterly tragic."
Constructors such as Mercedes, Honda and Williams also shared messages of condolence for the family, friends and colleagues of Hubert, who raced for the British-owned Arden team.
"The team sends its heartfelt condolences to Anthoine's family and loved ones, his colleagues at the Arden team, and the entire F2 community," McLaren tweeted.
WITH AAP
