This archive report was first published on 1 September 2019.
Formula Two driver Anthoine Hubert, a rising talent in the Renault F1 set up, died on Saturday at the age of 22 after a horrific high-speed crash during the Formula Two race held before the F1 Belgian Grand Prix.
The crash occurred just minutes into the race at the exit of the Raidillon corner, one of the fastest sections of the Spa-Francorchamps track, and involved three cars, including those of Juan Manuel Correa and Giuliano Alesi.
Hubert, who was a Renault F1 junior and the reigning GP3 series champion, had won twice in the F2 championship this season, at the French and Monaco Grand Prix meetings.
He was a serious talent in the world of motor racing, and his death has sent shockwaves through the sport.
Formula One drivers and teams have paid tribute to Hubert, with a "devastated" Formula One saying that "He will never be forgotten" and Lewis Hamilton hailing the Frenchman as a "hero".
"This is devastating. God rest your soul Anthoine. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family today," Hamilton said on Instagram.
"If a single one of you watching and enjoying this sport think for a second what we do is safe your hugely mistaken. All these drivers put their life on the line when they hit the track and people need to appreciate that in a serious way because it is not appreciated enough. Anthoine is a hero as far as I'm concerned, for taking the risk he did to chase his dreams... Rest in peace brother," Hamilton added.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen also paid tribute to Hubert, writing on Twitter: "Absolutely shocked by the tragic accident of Anthoine Hubert. Terrible. My thoughts are with him and his family, friends, team and loved ones."
