The death of Anthoine Hubert during a Formula 2 sprint at the Belgian Grand Prix weekend stunned the paddock and prompted an immediate outpouring of tribute.
Fatal crash shatters Belgian Grand Prix weekend
On the opening lap of the Formula 2 main event on the Raidillon section, 22‑year‑old Frenchman Anthoine Hubert was clipped from the front by Juan Manuel Correa. The impact slammed his cockpit, leaving Hubert dead on the spot. Hubert, who had already claimed victories at Monaco and Paul Ricard that season, was celebrated by his peers before the tragic incident cut his career short.
The tragedy unfolded just as the Formula 1 grid was being locked out: Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel in a Ferrari were poised for front‑row honours, while Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were in tidy positions. The fatal crash threw the entire event into a state of heavy silence, prompting an immediate tribute for the lost driver.
Leclerc claims first F1 win amid mourning
Despite the somber mood, the race carried on. Charles Leclerc finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton, securing his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. Bottas completed the podium, while Sebastian Vettel came in fourth, delivering a performance that, though less glinting, was dominated by the day’s relentless emotional strain.
Vettel reflects on safety and personal responsibility
In a New York Times column, the 32‑year‑old champion confessed that the accident had made him question racing that very week. He wrote about moments of lost control, the sudden slowness of time during crashes, and how seeing a life abruptly end forced him to reevaluate the sport he loved. “After that weekend, I felt differently about my sport,” Vettel said, noting that the responsibility he now felt was a stark contrast to his prior fearless approach.
He added that he had once communicated to his wife, Hanna, his reluctance to race the following day and that after a sleepless night he still chose to take the start. Vettel’s reflection emphasised that speed must evolve with purpose, and that the tragedy had redefined the meaning of progress for him.
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