How a death can unify a sport

Despite the togetherness it provoked, the sight of a paddock in mourning was enough to make even the most ardent petrolheads question whether it was all worth it

The brother and mother of Anthoine Hubert observe a minute’s silence after the F2 driver’s death (AFP/Getty)

Breaking a story of someone’s death is never easy, no matter what area that story falls under, but there is something particularly difficult about doing so when that person is a young individual with their best years ahead of them.

That was the case this weekend with 22-year-old Anthoine Hubert, the Formula Two driver who was killed during the main support race to the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix.

From the moment live footage of the accident was broadcast worldwide, it was obvious that the situation was serious. Crashes are part and parcel of motorsport, but there are certain accidents where instinct kicks in and a voice is immediately heard: “People don’t walk away from accidents like that one.”