Monégasque driver Charles Leclerc dedicated his first F1 victory at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix to his friend Anthoine Hubert, who lost his life in a crash involving multiple cars during Formula 2 Feature Race at Spa-Francorchamps on August 31, 2019.
Charles Leclerc | FIA
David Coulthard: Charles, I’m sure mixed emotions there. We saw you step from the car, point to the sky, an emotional weekend and your first ever victory in Formula One, congratulations.
“Yeah, on the one hand I’ve got a dream since being a child that has been realised. But on the other hand it has been a very difficult weekend since yesterday. We have lost a friend first of all. It is very difficult in these situations, so I would like to dedicate my first win to him. We have grown up together – my first ever race I have done it with Anthoine – and just shame what happened yesterday. I can’t enjoy fully my first victory but it will definitely be a memory I will keep forever,” Leclerc replied.
Anthoine Hubert (1996 – 2019) | File Photo
The crash involved cars #12, #19 and #20, belonging to Juan Manuel Correa (USA), Anthoine Hubert (FRA) and Giuliano Alesi (FRA), respectively. In an official statement, FIA said that the scene was immediately attended by emergency and medical crews, and all drivers were taken to the medical centre. However, Hubert succumbed to his injuries and passed away at 18:35 (CET).
While Alesi was declared fit at the medical centre, the statement added that Correa remains in a stable condition in intensive care at the CHU Liège hospital. The US driver suffered fractures to both of his legs and a minor spinal injury in the incident and was airlifted to the hospital where he underwent a surgery.
The FIA said that they’re providing support to the event organisers and the relevant authorities, and has commenced an investigation into the incident.
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