FORMULA 2 DRIVER KILLED AT SPA

Anthoine Hubert has died as a result of injuries sustained in a F2 crash at Spa

French racing driver Anthoine Hubert died as a result of injuries in a massive multi-car pileup on the second lap of Saturday’s Formula 2 race during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend. Juan Manuel Correa, who was also involved in the accident, suffered leg injuries, but was pronounced to be in stable condition at a hospital in Liège.

By DAN KNUTSON

The accident happened on the high-speed 270kph uphill Eau Rouge/Raidillon complex of corners that lead onto the Kemmel Straight. Correa’s car T-boned Hubert’s car, which was split in half and flipped upside down.

The race was red flagged and not restarted.

Giuliano Alesi, who was also involved in the accident, was checked and declared fit at the track medical centre.

A pall drifted over the circuit as the rumours turned into tragic facts.

The accident happened at 5:07 p.m. local time, and Hubert passed away at 6:35 p.m. in the track medical centre.

Correa, 20, was born in Ecuador, and is a citizen of the U.S.

Hubert was an affiliated driver with the Renault Sport Academy, which is linked to Renault’s F1 team and drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hülkenberg.

Hubert was born on 22 September 1996, and he began racing karts at age 12. He graduated to cars in 2013 and won the French F4 Championship with 11 victories. In the following seasons he competed in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and the European Formula 3 Championship.

He moved to the GP3 series in 2017 and won that championship in 2018. Hubert graduated to the FIA Formula 2 Championship this year with the Renault-backed BWT Arden team, and he won two races.

FIA Statement

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 Liège 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.