Motorsport Community Mourns the Death of F2 Racer Antoine Hubert
With speeds over 200 MPH at the Belgium Grand Prix even in Formula 2 cars, crashes can become fatal in the blink of an eye.
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of the oldest tracks of all time and has been in regular world-class racing rotation for well over 50 years. The track has existed for since the 1920’s and has changed configurations many times since its inception. Many of these changes have been made to meet safety standards as cars continually get faster and faster throughout the years. However, as safe as we might try to make racing, it is inherently a dangerous sport at the end of the day.
To the great regret and sadness of the motorsport world, Anthoine Hubert, Formula 2 racing driver, died during the Belgium Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps during a high-speed accident. An article by BBC covers the details related to the crash and its effects. Let’s see what we can understand from the incident.
In order to understand this untimely death, one most first understand the race track where this crash occurred. As mentioned, Spa-Francorchamps, aka Spa, is the host track of the Belgium Grand Prix. This track features one of the most infamous corners combinations in all motor racing. These corners are known as Eau Rouge/Raidillon. The combination of these corners create an high-speed drastically uphill chicane which leads to one of the longest front straights on any Motorsport calendar, the Kemmel Straight. Nailing Eau Rouge is absolutely critical for a fast lap time at Spa.
Ideally, the driver would never lift during Eau Rouge to maximize speed onto the straight, however, even these Formula 2 cars will be racing around 180 mph going into Eau Rouge. As you might imagine, at such intense speeds, any mistake can be fatal. Regardless, drivers race wheel to wheel up the corners, risking everything to get ahead even just a millisecond. Unfortunately for Hubert, after swerving on the uphill to avoid another crashing car, he crashed against the right safety barrier and then was subsequently t-boned by another driver, most likely going 160 mph or faster.
Even with the increased run-off area to the right barrier due to safety concerns such as this incident at Spa, Hubert was still placed in danger to oncoming traffic and has a result the accident was fatal. Charles Leclerc, last year’s Formula 2 Champion, won his first Formula One Grand Prix in an emotional fashion less than 24 hours after the death of Hubert. Leclerc dedicated the win to his former competitor and friend. We send prayers and sentiments of solidarity to the family of the late Formula 2 driver. Race on in Heaven, Antoine.
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