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A dark day in F1 and F2 recent history, as we’re remembering the passing of young Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert. Anthoine tragically lost his life at age 22 in Spa-Francorchamps following a crash at Raidillion corner.
The French driver was destined for racing glory. Hubert was introduced to motorsport from a young age as his father Francois was a clubman rally driver in France. Anthoine began racing in karts in 2004, when he was 8 years old, and was the French F4 champion in 2013. Two years in Formula Renault Eurocup followed, before jumping into GP3 with ART Grand Prix, but it wasn’t until 2018 that he really turned his career around and showed people what he could really do. Hubert only won two races in 2018, but combined with nine other podiums he finished the season with the biggest achievement of his career: becoming a GP3 champion and following the likes of George Russell, Charles Leclerc, Esteban Ocon and Valtteri Bottas. He would be the last one ever, as the series was merged into FIA Formula 3 for 2019.
In his rookie season in F2 in 2019, he would go on to take two victories at Monaco and Le Castellet, much to the delight of his home French fans. In his first race of the season, Anthoine showed his professionalism and race craft on a whole new level. Starting from 11th place, he had no radio from the start of the race, but managed to execute the strategy, pit and finished the race in an impressive 4th place. He was also a Renault F1 team junior driver and most certainly had a bright future in Formula 1 ahead of him.
Sadly, we won’t get to see where his potential and determination would take him.
On 31 August 2019, Anthoine Hubert became the first driver to die at a Formula One race weekend since Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger were killed at Imola in 1994. The Belgian Grand Prix weekend will always remind us of a bright, young driver who followed his dreams.
RIP Anthoine Hubert (22.09.1996 – 31.08.2019).
For you my friend. ??❤️
Missing you. #AH19 pic.twitter.com/WJpI9JciAG— PIERRE GASLY ?? (@PierreGASLY) August 26, 2021
Headline Image: LAT Images