Henry Surtees killed in F2 crash at Brans

Henry Surtees has been seriously injured in an accident in Sunday's second Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch.

The 18-year-old son of 1964 F1 world champion John was struck on the head by a flying rear wheel after Jack Clarke spun into the wall exiting Westfield Bend during today's race.

Surtees was knocked unconscious and his car ploughed straight ahead into the barrier on the approach to Sheene Curve. He was extricated from the car and taken to the circuit's medical centre, where he was stabilised before being transfered to the Royal London hospital, the regional trauma centre, by helicopter.

There is no word yet on his condition or the extent of his injuries.

Formula 2 chief executive Jonathan Palmer said: "I would like to express my great sadness that Henry has been injured today.

"An accident like this would obviously raise high levels of concern and we await further news on Henry's condition from the hospital.

"This is clearly a very worrying time for John and Jane Surtees. Our thoughts are with them and we will be providing all the support we can."

I know him from karting. I raced agaist him with i was younger and was very close to him



Just heard he might of died or in a coma

All unconfirmed as far as I'm aware.... keeping updated on the MWM Collective.
Fingers crossed for him. I hope that he pulls through.

Well i have a friend texting the family and a F2 driver has said he passed away. =(

I hate to say it but he passed away acording to all the drivers, that have been texting my mate.

Henry Surtees, the son of 1964 Formula 1 world champion John Surtees, has died following an accident in a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch on Sunday.

During the second of the weekend's races, the 18-year-old was struck on the head by a wheel and tyre from the car of Jack Clarke, who had spun into the wall exiting Westfield Bend.

Surtees was knocked unconscious in the accident and his car failed to negotiate the following Sheene Corner, running straight off the track and into the barrier.

Medical crews were swiftly on the scene to extract Surtees from the car, before he was taken to the track's medical centre. He was stabilised at the circuit's facility before being airlifted to the Royal London hospital.

A spokesperson for the hospital this evening confirmed that Surtees had died from his injuries.

Surtees graduated to F2 this season from Formula Renault and had taken his first podium finish in the series with third place in Saturday's race at Brands Hatch.

His step up to the category came after several seasons in karts, which included victory in the Junior Gearbox Championship in 2005, before a graduation to car racing in the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2006.

He switched to single seaters in 2007, taking a race victory in Formula BMW UK for Carlin Motorsport en route to seventh overall in the standings - and second in the rookie cup.

He also made a brief foray into the Formula Renault UK championship that year, contesting the final two rounds at Thruxton as well as the Winter Series.

In 2008 he remained in Formula Renault, taking 12th in the final standings before finishing runner-up in the Winter Series with one victory and three podiums from four races. He also contested last year's British Formula 3 season finale in a National Class car for Carlin, taking one victory and one podium.

AUTOSPORT sends its sincere condolences to Henry's family and friends

10 years after the motorsport community lost another great young up and coming talent..

Unnesecary, he could have done great things im sure.

RIP Henry.

He was a very very talented driver!!!!

tragic

The MWM Collective on Facebook has a condolences thread running. I'd like to think many of the people from here who are members would please post some thoughts there and also on the group Ash has posted above.

We must never forget how dangerous our sort can be and that one day everyone's luck runs out.
I'd like to think everyone's thoughts here on TORA are with the Surtees family and also Clarke whose wheel struck Henry initially.

Perhaps it would be suitable for a many cars as possible on Sunday to run with some kind of mark of respect for Henry. Bearing in mind the age range of our members I feel this could be the least we can do.

Hi i hope this is not too soon, but maybe we could run a race in memory of him, maybe with paints of his past cars etc. Its a little complicated, but for one, i think he deserves it and it would be the best mark of repect we could give.

We will try to work something out but failing this I would very much like to see alot of support on Sunday.

oh yes, its just another idea. something a little more memorable.
definately liking the 'mark' idea.

It would be a fantastic idea if we all done something to our cars in tribute to henry!
I am going to work on a livery tomorrow for this. What I'm using, no idea because the only livery I know he used was on his formula 2 car. But we'll see!

Note to one and all: please could everyone work on a project so we can display our pictures on the Henry Surtees tribute page on facebook!

im running a surtees livery sunday

I started one yesterday.

I'll be working on something when I get back.
Either of you doing the F2 paint?

Have also thought about renaming this weekends race the Surtees Memorial

i know its a way off but shouldnt silverstone be the memorial as it would be the home race?

It's a good idea.
Maybe everyone run with their paints on Sunday and we have the SMT at Silverstone at the end of the season?

sounds good to me, and maybe for next season shift the silverstone to this weekend so it lies with the anniversary and hold it as an anual event. like they do for others

i like the idea how you might change it to Surtees Rememorail! =)

I will be posting a paint up later!

R.I.P a talent taken too soon.............

I don't know if it's passed some of you buys but it's been over a year now since the tragic death of Henry Surtees.
Just been watching this clip of him being interviewed in Spa. Whats sad for me about it is he was looking forward to racing at Brands Hatch where he was killed.
Such a sad loss to us.