Tributes to F1 and IndyCar racer Justin Wilson after his death
Members of the motorsport community have paid tribute to Justin Wilson, who lost his life following an IndyCar accident at Pocono on Sunday
The popular Brit rose through the junior ranks to reach Formula 1 in 2003 with Minardi and Jaguar, before turning his attention to open-wheel racing in America, winning in both Champ Car and IndyCar.
STEFAN WILSON - Made one IndyCar start alongside his brother at Baltimore in 2013
"Can't even begin to describe the loss I feel right now. He was my Brother, my best friend, my role model and mentor. He was a champion!
"He never stopped giving & caring for others. Even at this time. He had pre-chosen to donate his organs to help others in need. #myherojw
"I often told him, I just want to grow up to be half the man he is, as that will make me a pretty good man.
"He lived for this sport, he loved it. The only comfort I feel is that he lived a life he loved! RIP mate, I'll chuffing miss you."
MARK MILES - CEO of IndyCar's parent company Hulman & Co.
"This is a monumentally sad day for IndyCar and the motorsports community as a whole. Justin's elite ability to drive a race car was matched by his unwavering kindness, character and humility - which is what made him one of the most respected members of the paddock.
"As we know, the racing industry is one big family, and our efforts moving forward will be focused on rallying around Justin's family to ensure they get the support they need during this unbelievably difficult time."
JENSON BUTTON - F1 world champion and former karting rival
"The motorsport World comes 2 a standstill once again. @justin_wilson was a great person & racing driver.
"My thoughts are with his family RIP I raced with Justin as far back as 1989 in Karting and remember his smile was infectious, such a lovely guy. #RIPJustin."
DARIO FRANCHITTI - Four-time IndyCar champion
"Rest in peace Justin, it was a real privilege to know you and call you a friend. Love to Julia, the girls @stef_wilson Keith and Lynne."
LEWIS HAMILTON - Reigning F1 world champion
"I woke up this morning feeling positive in my heart until I read the news. I am so devastated to hear of another passing of a great man and driver.
"I'd met Justin Wilson a few times growing up and he was the ultimate gentleman. Whilst I only knew him a little, I will miss him. We will miss him.
"May God rest his soul and keep his hands over his family. My thoughts are with the Wilson family."
GRAHAM RAHAL - Team-mate to Wilson at Newman-Haas in 2007 and '08
"Godspeed my friend. Godspeed. #RIPJWil. Some things in life just don't make sense. It's impossible to comprehend why certain things happen. But may we never forget the man JW was."
WILL POWER - IndyCar champion and Champ Car rival
"So distraught to hear the news of Justin's passing. He was such a fantastic human being & will be dearly missed."
ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT - Ran Wilson in a partial 2015 IndyCar campaign and the Moscow Formula E round
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Justin Wilson. He was a tremendous racer, a valuable member of the team and respected representative to our sport. While Justin was only part of the Andretti lineup for a short time, it only took a second for him to forever become part of the Andretti family.
"His life and racing career is a story of class and passion surpassed by none. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Wilson family and fans worldwide.
"Godspeed, JW."
MICHAEL ANDRETTI - Andretti team boss
"My heart goes out to the Wilson family of the loss of Justin. He was a great friend and even greater person. He will be sorely missed. #RIPJW"
MARIO ANDRETTI - Formula 1 and IndyCar champion
"Devastated by the passing of Justin Wilson & wonder why I had so many more blessings. God please now bless Julia, the kids & @stef_wilson"
RYAN HUNTER-REAY - IndyCar champion and 2015 Andretti team-mate
"Can't describe the sadness I feel for the loss of such a wonderful person. Justin was inspiring in so many ways & still is."
DALE COYNE RACING - Wilson's IndyCar team in 2009 and '12-14
"All will remember Justin as a great driver. Let us never forget the joy fatherhood brought him. #RIPJustin #IndyCar"
DALE COYNE - Wilson claimed the maiden win for Coyne's team at Watkins Glen in 2009
"It is with the great sadness that we learn of the passing of a great man, Justin Wilson. Justin was the kindest, gentlest racer that we have ever known. His wife Julia and their adorable girls, Jane and Jessica, are shining lights of Justin's spirit.
"All of us that got to know Justin or just met him in passing must be saddened by this astonishing loss. Our thoughts and prayers continue with his entire family from all of us at Dale Coyne Racing and beyond."
ROGER PENSKE - IndyCar team boss
"Justin Wilson was a tremendous competitor and a great ambassador for our sport. He was loved and respected throughout the racing community and we are all saddened by this tragic loss.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Justin's wife Julia, their two young daughters and all of the Wilson family."
FERNANDO ALONSO - Two-time Formula 1 world champion and raced against Wilson in F3000
"#RIPJustinWilson my thoughts are with his family and friends. So sad, difficult to accept."
AJ ALLMENDINGER - RuSPORT Champ Car team-mate in 2005 and 2006
"JW I wish I could have been there to say goodbye. Told u how much u meant to me. Told u how much u inspired me to be better.Gone way to soon."
ALEX TAGLIANI - RuSPORT Champ Car team-mate
"I will miss the good laughs of my 2007 teammate @justin_wilson & the great conversations in the paddock I am very sad & hurt for his family."
SCOTT DIXON - Three-time IndyCar champion
"Father, Husband, Friend, just an amazing human being. We will miss you to no end. Love to the Wilson Family. #RIPJustin"
TONY KANAAN - IndyCar champion
"Oh man, my heart is aching another friend gone. Godspeed to one of racing's truest gentlemen."
HELIO CASTRONEVES - IndyCar rival
"Sending my prayers to Justin's family, Julia,Jessica,Jane, may God give the strength to find peace. #RIP my friend."
TAKUMA SATO - IndyCar rival
"Can't find the words... impossible. Extremely sad day. We will miss you forever. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. RIP Justin Wilson."
"Tough day in motorsport today as we loose another great person and driver. RIP Justin. You will be miss. Thoughts and prayers for his family."
ROMAIN GROSJEAN - Lotus F1 driver
"So sad to hear that Justin Wilson passed away. What dreadful news and what a dramatic year for racing. Losing too many champions."
DANIEL RICCIARDO - Red Bull F1 driver
"This sport can be so damn harsh. It breaks my heart. I wish Justin's family all my love and support."
VALTTERI BOTTAS - Williams F1 driver
"Very sad news this morning, RIP Justin Wilson. My thoughts are with the family."
SERGIO PEREZ - Force India F1 driver
"Very sad news, we lost a colleague! R.i.P Justin Wilson. All my thoughts with your Family."
MARCUS ERICSSON - Sauber F1 driver
"Extremely sad to hear that Justin Wilson has passed away. All my thoughts are with his family #RIPJustin."
NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN - Former F1 driver and Formula Vauxhall rival
"Terrible news to wake up to, RIP Justin Wilson - one of the nicest race drivers I've known. A thorough gentleman, Just unreal..
"Knew Justin from racing, back in Formula Vauxhall in '95. Very fast in the car, gentle on the outside. Heartfelt condolences to his family."
SIMON PAGENAUD - IndyCar rival and one-time Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team-mate
"We'll miss u very much my friend Justin Wilson. Thanks for everything you did for IndyCar. Thoughts and prayers..."
SIMONA DE SILVESTRO - 2015 Andretti Autosport team-mate
"It was an honour to share the car with you this year and being your teammate. I will miss you Justin."
CARLOS MUNOZ - 2015 Andretti Autosport team-mate
"No words... Really sad news... Hard to let go of a team mate and a great person... We will never forget you #RIP"
JAMES JAKES - Wilson's 2012 Dale Coyne Racing team-mate
"Two team-mates gone in the space of 6 weeks. Motorsport can be so cruel sometimes!"
PIPPA MANN - Dale Coyne Racing IndyCar team-mate
"I have no words. I will miss you so much my friend. Thoughts with Julia, the girls, and Stefan this eve. #RIPJustinWilson"
MARK WEBBER - Formula 3000 rival and 2003 Jaguar F1 team-mate
"Last night a very good man left us. Mate. So sorry. RIP Justin. My thoughts are with your loved ones."
NICK HEIDFELD - raced with Wilson in Formula 3000, F1 and Formula E
"Terrible news of Justin Wilson not being with us any more. My thoughts are with his family."
BRUNO JUNQUEIRA - Formula 3000 and Champ Car rival
"#RIPJustin a true gentleman driver. You will be always missed."
STOFFEL VANDOORNE - GP2 championship leader and McLaren reserve driver
"#RIPJustinWilson Thoughts are with his family and friends..."
JOLYON PALMER - Lotus reserve driver
"What a sad day. Justin was someone I followed as I was growing up and admired hugely. Can't believe it, thoughts with his family now."
ANTONIO FELIX DA COSTA - DTM and Formula E driver
"Can't believe it! A bit shy off the track, but in it, what a racer he was, had the pleasure to have a few fights with him and get to know him. Strong thoughts with his family! Rest in Peace Justin."
PAUL DI RESTA - DTM and former F1 driver
"Very sad news to hear about @justin_wilson thoughts are with his family at this time. Always with us big guy!"
WILL STEVENS - Manor F1 driver
"Another terrible loss for the motorsport world! Thoughts are with his family and friends!"
ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ - Ferrari F1 reserve
"RIP Justin Wilson. All my thoughts and prayers for his family. Let's be united and work for better safety."
"We knew him well, since 2003... @justin_wilson, you will be missed! All our thoughts are with his family."
RED BULL RACING - Wilson raced with the team when it was Jaguar
"A tragic loss. All at the Team send their deepest condolences to Justin's family and friends at this time."
CHRISTIAN HORNER - Red Bull F1 boss and former F3000 team owner
"Having known Justin since his karting days on the British circuits, it was always obvious to me that he was destined for great things in motorsport.
"His progress through the lower formulas was impressive and he absolutely flourished in F3000. Justin tested for the Arden Team, before securing a seat with Nordic Racing and went on to win the championship convincingly.
"I followed his successful career with interest over the years. Justin will be remembered not only as a talented driver but also as quite simply one of the nicest blokes in motorsport.
"The thoughts of everyone at Infiniti Red Bull Racing are with Justin's parents Keith and Lynne, his brother Stefan, his wife Julia and his two young daughters. He will be sadly missed."
FRANZ TOST - Toro Rosso F1 team principal
"The Englishman's Formula 1 career started in 2003, here in Faenza with the Minardi Team. Therefore many of our Scuderia Toro Rosso team members worked with Justin back then, and remember him as a friendly, gentle person and talented true racer.
"It's a very sad day. On behalf of the entire team, I offer our sincerest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time."
KEVIN MAGNUSSEN - McLaren reserve driver
"RIP Justin Wilson. A guy who had such great love for the sport. All my thoughts are with his family and friends in this tragic time."
ALEX LYNN - Williams development driver
"Such horrible news to hear about Justin Wilson this morning, our sport is so difficult in times like this."
MICHAEL SHANK - Wilson won the 2012 Daytona 24 Hours with Michael Shank Racing, alongside AJ Allmendinger, Oswaldo Negri and Mark Patterson
"I'm so pissed off I lost my friend tonight . I'm so pissed off that his kids/wife don't get him to grow up with. I'm just so sad..."
JONATHAN PALMER - Motor Sport Vision chief executive
"The world has lost not just an outstanding race driver, but even more importantly an outstanding human being who was a wonderful example to everyone. By winning our first Formula Palmer Audi championship in 1998, Justin earned my total support and justified it by going on to be F3000 champion and then achieving his dream of racing in F1, first with Minardi and then Jaguar.
"Justin was like a son to me and working closely with his father Keith we forged a great team, as together we created opportunities that Justin always made the best of. Justin had the remarkable ability to be fiercely competitive in a race car yet be admired and respected by all of his competitors. He was unwaveringly loyal to his supporters and also never stopped making time for the valued shareholders of Justin Wilson plc, that helped him make it to F1, speaking at every AGM for 10 years.
"I am absolutely devastated for Justin's lovely family, who were all so important to him. His loss will be colossal to his father Keith, mother Lynne, brother Stefan, wife Julia and his precious daughters Jane and Jessica, to whom I extend my deepest sympathies.
"For Justin to lose his life as an innocent victim is an absolute tragedy and it is vital that further work is done to progress motor racing safety. It has been an enormous privilege for me to have been so close to both such an exciting race driver and inspirational young man who will forever remain an example to all the world's racing drivers. The world and particularly motorsport will be a poorer place without Justin, but he leaves a legacy of being the epitome of a true sportsman."
FORMULA E - Wilson made one start in the series, at Moscow in June
"Everyone at Formula E is shocked and saddened by Justin Wilson's death. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones #RIPBadass."
JEAN-ERIC VERGNE - Wilson's Andretti Formula E team-mate at Moscow
"This is so sad, have no words... RIP Justin"
SAM BIRD - Formula E racer
"Woken up to terrible news. R.I.P Justin. Such a kind and friendly man. My thoughts are with you and your loved ones :("
MERCEDES AMG F1
"Our thoughts today are with the family and friends of @justin_wilson. A great driver and an even greater man."
LOTUS F1
"Such sad news. Our deepest condolences go to Justin's family and all who knew & admired him. RIP Justin..."
FORCE INDIA
"We are devastated by the terrible news of Justin Wilson's passing. Our thoughts are with Justin's family and friends in this moment. RIP."
McLAREN
"All at McLaren are deeply saddened to hear the news about Justin Wilson. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. #RIPJustinWilson."
MANOR
"Dreadful news from the U.S. this morning. Our deepest condolences to Justin's family & everyone at Andretti Autosport."
HONDA MOTORSPORT
"We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Justin Wilson. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. #RIPJustinWilson."
DIDIER COTON - Manager of Valtteri Bottas
"For all of us to gather our thoughts and be with Justin's family & the Indycar community. Very sad day. #RIP Justin."
KARUN CHANDHOK - Sportscar racer, former F1 driver
"Very sad news this morning about @justin_wilson...Showed real tenacity in junior formula to get to F1. Was such a nice guy. #RIPJustinWilson
"Justin was a great example to young drivers... Made no excuses about his height despite the obvious difficulties & just got on with the job."
ALEXANDER WURZ - GPDA chairman, former F1 driver
"We lost another great racer, hard to accept. RIP Justin Wilson"
MAX CHILTON - Indy Lights racer and former F1 driver
"A big smile has left us. #RIPJustin."
PEDRO DE LA ROSA - Former F1 driver
"Another extraordinary racer has left us. RIP Justin Wilson. Our thoughts are with your family."
SAGE KARAM - IndyCar driver
"I can't find the proper words to describe the pain and sympathy I feel for Justin and his family. #RIPJustin"
JR HILDEBRAND - IndyCar driver
"You smiled in the face of anything that came your way, your friendship was worth more than you could know. We miss you already, JWill."
CHARLIE KIMBALL - IndyCar driver
"The sport we love can be so cruel. Today is one of those days. IndyCar lost a great driver and great friend. The world lost a great person."
J. DOUGLAS BOLES - Indianapolis Motor Speedway President
"We're saddened to have lost such an exceptional driver, friend and role model to many in the INDYCAR community. Justin was one of the most versatile and talented drivers of the last 15 years, as evidenced by his wins in sports cars, Champ Car and INDYCAR.
"More important than his driving ability was his approachable personality, his calm spirit, and the respect he earned throughout the racing community for the tremendous person, friend, father and husband he was. Justin made innumerable friends and admirers throughout the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR communities.
"All of us at IMS extend our prayers and deepest sympathy to the Wilson family."
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