LONDON: The Formula One community awoke with heavy hearts yesterday after British racer Justin Wilson, a friend to many in the Grand Prix paddock, died because of head injuries suffered in an IndyCar race in the US.
The 37-year-old, who raced in Formula One for Minardi and Jaguar in 2003, died in hospital after being hit by debris and crashing in the closing laps at Pocono Raceway oval in Pennsylvania.
Formula One drivers and teams, former colleagues and rivals, remembered Wilson as a smiling giant out of the car and determined competitor in it.
“The motorsport world comes 2 a standstill once again,” 2009 world champion Jenson Button, who attended the funeral of French Formula One driver Jules Bianchi a month ago, said of his compatriot on Twitter.
“I raced with Justin as far back as 1989 in karting and remember his smile was infectious, such a lovely guy,” added the McLaren driver.