Lewis Hamilton witnessed Anthoine Hubert’s crash that killed F2 driver during live interview

Lewis Hamilton witnessed the 170mph horror crash that claimed the life of Anthoine Hubert whilst conducting an interview live on television. 

The 22-year-old Formula 2 driver was tragically killed on Saturday and his collision immediately stopped Hamilton mid-flow. 

Visibly shaken by what he’d just witnessed on the television monitor at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, he said: ‘Oh wow. Hope that kid’s good. Wow. That’s terrifying.’

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Hubert’s car bounced off the barrier coming out of Eau Rogue at high speed and moved directly into the path of Juan Manuel Correa’s vehicle. 

Correa remains in hospital in a stable condition having undergone successful surgery on two broken legs and a minor spinal injury. 

The footage of the crash was enough for anybody, let alone five-time world champion Hamilton, to tell that it was possibly fatal. 

He cut the interviews short along with a number of other Formula One teams who were preparing for the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday. 

The worst fears were confirmed when Hubert’s death was announced and there were widespread tributes to the Frenchman. 

Hamilton embraced Hubert’s mother, who came to the track the day after her son was killed as the entire motorsport community paid their respects prior to the Belgian Grand Prix. 

The British driver also shared his condolences on Instagram and wrote: ‘This is devastating. God rest your soul Anthoine. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family today.’

He added a message to his story calling on fans to appreciate the danger drivers put themselves in every time they get into the car. 

The accident on Saturday happened at the start of the second lap of the Formula 2 race. Hubert lost control while reacting to events in front of him and hit the tyre wall on the right side of the track on top of a hill. 

His Arden car then bounced into the path of American Correa’s Charouz and the impact took place at 5:07pm.   

Television cameras immediately cut out once the severity of the accident became clear.   

An FIA statement later read: ‘The scene was immediately attended by emergency and medical crews, and all the drivers were taken to the medical centre. As a result of the incident, the FIA regrets to reveal that the driver of car 19, Anthoine Hubert (FRA), succumbed to his injuries and passed away at 6.35pm (certified in the medical centre by a Belgian doctor).’ 

Hubert, born in Lyon, was the reigning GP3 champion. He had won twice this season, including in Monaco, and was lying eighth in the F2 championship.

The geometry of Hubert’s impact would have been vicious anywhere, but nowhere more so than at Eau Rouge, a snaking piece of tarmac cutting through the Ardennes forest and equally famed and feared in motor racing lore.

The race was called off and after after news of Hubert’s passing spread around the paddock and tributes were arranged for the following day. 

The drivers wore black armbands and stood with stewards and fans for a minute of silent reflection with many offering their sympathies to Hubert’s mother and brother at the track.  

Charles Leclerc went on to win the Grand Prix and dedicated his first victory to Hubert, who was his childhood friend. 

He said: ‘On the one hand, I have a dream since I was a child that has been realised, and on the other hand, it has been very difficult.

‘We have lost a friend first of all, and it’s very difficult in these situations so I would like to dedicate this win to him.

‘We have grown up together and my first ever race I did when I was seven with Anthoine, so it’s such a shame what happened.

‘I can’t fully enjoy my first victory but it is a memory that will live with me forever.’