We acknowledge the loss of life with a driver’s future ended. Anthione Hubert will be remembered in the annuals of auto racing.
When you go to an automobile race–any style of automobile race–you can look on the ticket to find a sentence that speaks volumes: “Automobile racing is dangerous.” It’s a warning to fans and drivers, alike.
Almost six years ago, Frenchman Jules Bianchi died in Suzuka, Japan, where the Manor driver plowed into a tractor, lifting it inches into the air. A week later, Bianchi succumbed to his injuries.
But six years is a long time–long enough, too–for drivers and fans to forget that this is dangerous business. Almost six years ago became last Saturday when Anthione Hubert died in Belgium while participating in a Formula 2 race.
Although Hubert succumbed to his injuries hours later, Correa was in stable condition with the possibility of both of his legs fractured as well as a minor spinal injury. Ironically, Correa had just finished testing an Alfa Romeo F1 car alongside Female Colombian driver Tatiana Calderon.
The accident was reminiscent of what British American Drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Riccardo Zonta did in 1999. Many cars crashed on the opening lap on a very rainy race day afternoon.
Courtesy: Sky Sports
Hubert didn’t die in the main event. For Formula 1 enthusiasts, Formula 2 is like the Porsche Supercup Series, a sideshow for spectators to enjoy beyond the main attraction. But racing it is.
For surviving drivers, Hubert’s fate becomes a collective and personal matter. They become quiet, some in shock, and most do not want to speak with the press after a fatal crash. Only Mexican driver Sergio Perez spoke this day. “Need to get on with their driving and cannot think about it,” said Perez.
As always is the case like this, safety improvements become a talking point, and Alain Prost, four-time world champion and adviser to the Renault F1 Team, knows that’s important. But he also knows there’s more to the situation. “We always think that it cannot happen anymore, but yes, it can happen,” he told motorsport.com. “We know that motor racing is dangerous…but…motor racing is (also) one of the safest sports,” Prost concluded.
Yes, Prost has a point. Be he (and we) also acknowledge this loss of life with a driver’s future ended. Hubert will now be remembered in the annuals of auto racing.
Adieu mon ami to my French blood-brother, Anthoine. It was fitting that your best friend, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, won Sunday’s F1 race and dedicated the victory to you.
Many years ago, Helen Reddy introduced us to a song, “You and me against the world.” It includes the words, “And when one of us is gone, the rest will carry on.” Indeed, we do.
