Anthoine Hubert death: Formula 2 driver killed in Belgian GP horror crash

Anthoine Hubert had won two F2 races this season
Joe Portlock/LAT Images/REX
Phil Duncan|Jacob Jarvis2 September 2019

French driver Anthoine Hubert has been killed in a Formula Two horror crash at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The 22-year-old died following a 160mph collision at the high-speed Spa-Francorchamps track.

Hubert raced for the British-owned Arden team, founded and run by Garry Horner, the father of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

He had won two F2 races this season and was eighth in the championship standings.

A number of drivers were involved in the second-lap accident on the exit of the fearsome Eau Rouge corner.

The official TV feed swiftly cut away from the scene and there were no replays of the accident, but footage of the incident which later emerged on social media appeared to show Hubert slamming into the barriers on the far side of the circuit before sliding across the track.

Ecuadorian-American Juan Manuel Correa then crashed head on into Hubert, whose car appeared to break in two.

Correa was taken to Liege Hospital and is reported to be in a stable condition.

The Formula Two race, which acts as the feeder championship to Formula One, followed the conclusion of qualifying for the F1 grand prix which saw Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc secure pole position ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.

A statement released by the sport's governing body, the FIA, read: "The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regrets to advise that a serious incident involving cars 12, 19 and 20 occurred at 17:07 on 31/08/19 as a part of the FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race at Spa-Francorchamps, round 17 of the season.

"The scene was immediately attended by emergency and medical crews, and all drivers were taken to the medical centre.

"As a result of the incident, the FIA regrets to inform that the driver of car 19, Antoine Hubert (FRA), succumbed to his injuries, and passed away at 18:35.

"The driver of car 12, Juan-Manuel Correa (USA), is in a stable condition and is being treated at the CHU Liege hospital. More information on his condition will be provided when it becomes available. The driver of car 20 Giuliano Alesi (FRA) was checked and declared fit at the medical centre.

"The FIA is providing support to the event organisers and the relevant authorities, and has commenced an investigation into the incident."

The racing community quickly expressed its sadness at the accident.

McLaren addressed its "heartfelt condolences to Anthoine's family and loved ones, his colleagues at the Arden team, and the entire F2 community."

Five-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, who earlier had qualified third on the same track after crashing into the tire-barriers during the third and final practice, wrote on Instagram: "This is devastating. God rest your soul Anthoine. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family today."

The French Automobile Federation said it was "in shock" after hearing of Hubert's death.

The Renault F1 team said in a statement: "Anthoine was a member of the Renault Sport Academy and raced in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the final ladder to F1 ... The Frenchman was a huge talent who also brought great energy and positivity to his championship, his teams and the Renault Sport Academy. His smile and sunny personality lit up our formidable group of young drivers, who had formed tight and enduring bonds."

French driver Esteban Ocon, who has joined the Renault F1 team for next season, tweeted: "Can't believe it, we had the same age, we started racing together and battled on track for years. All my thoughts goes to his family," adding "Repose en paix" - or rest in peace - in French.

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