The 22-year-old French racing driver, Anthoine Hubert, died after a crash in a Formula 2 race at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit during the weekend that the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix is taking place, confirmed race organizers.
The terrible accident occurred on the second lap of the race and also involved American-Ecuadorian driver Juan Manuel Correa, who was hospitalized with leg fractures, and Japanese driver Marino Sato, who escaped without major damage.
The accident took place in one of the fastest parts of the Belgian circuit, where the track sharply rises after a descent.
Formula 2 is the final step in the promotions to Formula 1 races. Hubert, 22, was in eighth place in the World Championship before the races in Belgium, after 16 races.
The press conferences scheduled after the Formula 1 qualifying session were canceled, even before the news of Anthoine Hubert's death was announced.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Juan Manuel Correa was born in Quito (Ecuador), but competes as an American under his license. In this season's F2, he is in twelfth place. In 2017 and 2018, he competed in GP3, another promotion formula for young drivers on their way to Formula 1.
Source: AFP