Anthoine Hubert tragically lost his life during the 2019 Belgian Formula One Grand Prix weekend at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit following a severe crash. He had raced in the Formula 2 event a day before the F1 Grand Prix, representing the British Arden team, which was involved in the fatal accident.
During the Formula 2 race at Spa-Francorchamps, driver Giuliano Alesi crashed on the Radillon curve due to a punctured tire on the second lap. Alesi’s incident disrupted slower cars behind Hubert, leading to a collision with a barrier. Shortly afterward, Juan Manuel Correa collided near Hubert’s cockpit area at speeds between 130 and 160 mph, causing significant damage to both drivers’ cars. Both Hubert and Correa were quickly attended to by medical teams; however, Hubert was pronounced dead at 18:35. Correa suffered serious injuries, including two broken legs and spine damage, while Alesi escaped unharmed.
Lewis Hamilton, who was being interviewed in the media section of the paddock, noticed the crash on nearby television and appeared deeply concerned along with other Mercedes F1 team members. The following day, Charles Leclerc dedicated his first F1 Grand Prix victory to Hubert in a heartfelt tribute. Before the race, all safety vehicles made a lap around the circuit in Hubert’s honor. Additionally, all F1 drivers displayed Hubert’s car number inside a star on their cars, and his number 19 was permanently retired from Formula 2.
Pierre Guthrie, a French friend of Hubert, honored his memory by running around the circuit. Guthrie dedicated his run to both Hubert and Dilano van ‘t Hoff, another young Dutch driver who had recently died at Spa.
An FIA investigation into the accident concluded that no driver was to blame for the crash that caused Hubert’s death. The FIA reported that there was no indication any driver failed to respond appropriately to yellow flags or track conditions.
Fan Take: The loss of Anthoine Hubert remains a sobering reminder of the inherent risks in motorsport but also highlights the ongoing commitment to improving safety in racing. For fans, his memory fuels a collective hope that advancements in technology and regulations will continue to protect drivers and preserve the sport’s exhilarating spirit.
