Son of John Surtees dies in F2 race in England


The 18-year-old son of former F1 world champion John Surtees died Sunday after an accident during a Formula Two race, the hospital treating him said.

Henry Surtees was knocked unconscious during the race at the Brands Hatch circuit in Kent, south of London, and was airlifted to hospital with head injuries.

"He has died," a spokeswoman for the Royal London hospital told AFP late Sunday, adding that she was unable to release any further details at the request of his family.

A statement from the Formula Two championship said Surtees was struck on the head by a wheel and tyre from another car which had hit the tyre wall ahead of him. He was knocked unconscious and his car collided with the barriers.

The race was red flagged while the teenager was removed from the car, stabilised and taken to the medical centre. He was transferred from there to the hospital by helicopter.

A spokeswoman for the ambulance service said it had been called to the scene at 1.30pm 1230 GMT and a man was airlifted to hospital with head injuries.

Before Surtees' death was confirmed, Formula Two chief executive Jonathan Palmer expressed his "great sadness" at news of the accident, a rare occurrence these days in motor sports.

"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," he said.

He said his thoughts were with Surtees' parents John and Jane, adding: "We will be providing all the support we can."

Surtees secured a drive in F2 following a breakthrough year in 2008 that saw him contest the Formula Renault UK Championship and Winter Series and also make his debut in British Formula Three.

He claimed his first F2 podium only on Saturday, when he finished third in the weekend's opening race at Brands.

His father John is famously the only man to win world championships on two and four wheels, having claimed multiple 500cc motorcycle world championships before winning the F1 crown with Ferrari in 1964.





A chameleon clings to a tree stump on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. AFP/Sam Panthaky

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