British IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon has died following a huge accident at the Las Vegas Indy 300. After drinking in Red Bull’s title success in Korea, formula one awoke on Monday morning to terrible news from the world’s other premier single seater series.
(L to R): Second placed Nicolas Kiesa, race winner Jenson Button third placed Dan Wheldon on the Silverstone podium after a Slick 50 Formula Ford Championship race in 1998.
33-year-old Dan Wheldon, the 2005 Indycar champion and two-time Indy 500 winner, was killed on Sunday during the American category’s 2011 finale at Las Vegas speedway.The Buckinghamshire-born star, 33, was one of 15 drivers involved in a crash at the second corner on lap 13 of the season-ending race.Wheldon, who began IndyCar racing in 2002, was series champion in 2005 and won the Indy 500 in 2005 and 2011.
Given his nationality and his earlier links with a possible move to Formula 1, the Briton was well-known in the F1 paddock and well respected by many of the current drivers in the F1 field.
Lewis Hamilton, 2008 Formula 1 world champion, said: "This is a tragic loss at such a young age."
He added: "He was an extremely talented driver. As a British guy, who not only went over to the States but who twice won the Indy 500, he was an inspirational guy and someone that every racing driver looked up to with respect and admiration.
(L to R): Second placed Nicolas Kiesa, race winner Jenson Button third placed Dan Wheldon on the Silverstone podium after a Slick 50 Formula Ford Championship race in 1998.
33-year-old Dan Wheldon, the 2005 Indycar champion and two-time Indy 500 winner, was killed on Sunday during the American category’s 2011 finale at Las Vegas speedway.The Buckinghamshire-born star, 33, was one of 15 drivers involved in a crash at the second corner on lap 13 of the season-ending race.Wheldon, who began IndyCar racing in 2002, was series champion in 2005 and won the Indy 500 in 2005 and 2011.
Given his nationality and his earlier links with a possible move to Formula 1, the Briton was well-known in the F1 paddock and well respected by many of the current drivers in the F1 field.
Lewis Hamilton, 2008 Formula 1 world champion, said: "This is a tragic loss at such a young age."
He added: "He was an extremely talented driver. As a British guy, who not only went over to the States but who twice won the Indy 500, he was an inspirational guy and someone that every racing driver looked up to with respect and admiration.
