Tributes paid to Henry Surtees

Surtees was struck on the head by the left rear wheel and tyre from the car of Jack Clarke, who had crashed at Westfield Bend. He was airlifted to hospital but died from his injuries on Sunday evening.

John Surtees paid tribute to his son in a statement earlier today, and those close to the family have begun to pay their own respects.

Andy Priaulx (driver coach and mentor to Surtees in Formula BMW in 2007)

"Our sport can be cruel, but never crueller than when it claims a life.

"It is a tragedy when this happens and yesterday we witnessed this at Brands Hatch. Henry Surtees was a fine young man on the verge of his career in the sport, who I had the pleasure to tutor when he was racing in Formula BMW.

"His death highlights the dangers that we face and my heart goes out to his parents, John and Jane Surtees. John is one of my motor racing heroes who has achieved so much over his life in the sport.

"As a driver and also a father of a son who may one day want to follow my footsteps into the sport, it is hard to imagine coming to terms with such a loss."

Jaime Alguersuari (former team-mate)

"I got to know Henry at Donington last year when he came to drive [in F3] with Carlin and on the Thursday before the race he and I went to Alton Towers. We spent the day going around together and got on really well. To hear the news, especially this week, means a lot to me. This weekend was going to be perhaps the best weekend of my life, but now there is a shadow.

"The risk is something every driver knows, we all know there is this very small possibility. My prayers go out to his family, for all the people involved in motorsport it is very sad news. The Surtees family have all of my support, I have already sent them some messages. I will try and do my best in the future and for the Surtees family this weekend."

Edoardo Piscopo (fellow Formula 2 driver)

"It's a great tragedy and we're all shocked for what happened. It's been a really unfortunate accident that could have happened to any one of us. Henry was a good guy and a great driver and, in these terrible moments, my thoughts are with the Surtees family.

"I ended up both races in the points zone, but results mean nothing after what happened. Being back on-track at Donington will be tough for everybody."

Jack Clarke (fellow Formula 2 driver)

"The odds of that incident playing out like that were just unbelievable. It's very upsetting and very humbling to see and feel the concern of all the drivers at the time, and the sadness now. Henry was only 18, he was honest and a really nice guy, and he was just so quick. You'd look at the timesheet and wonder how he kept doing it.

"Most of the time you see the other drivers as your competitors and the most important thing is to beat them. But something like this happens and the priorities hit home, it's quite haunting.

"Any time a young and talented person is lost is a tragedy, but I think the best way to remember Henry was his pole at Brno and podium on Saturday when he was on top. Everyone's thoughts are with John, Jane and the family."

Ferrari

"A tragic accident on the last motorsport weekend. Henry Surtees, the son of John Surtees, the Formula 1 World Champion with Ferrari in 1964, died last night after an accident at the Brands Hatch circuit in this season's fourth race of the FIA Formula 2 Championship.

"Surtees was hit by a wheel that flew off a car after it had hit the safety barriers, causing him to crash into the guardrail. Surtees died at the Royal London Hospital, where he was taken by ambulance. The 18-year-old had gained a place on the podium the day before, his first of this season.

"Chairman Luca di Montezemolo and Ferrari are close to John Surtees in this moment of great sorrow."

Felipe Massa

"I heard about Henry Surtees' death this morning and it really moved me a lot. I'm so sorry for this tragedy and I'm close to his family in this moment of great sorrow."

Felipe Massa was visibly moved by the tragic death of John Surtees' son, last night at a London hospital after the 18-year-old's accident during a FIA Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch: "These things remind us how much safety has to remain the priority on the track and in all the other places of motorsport. Over the last years much has been done, but we can't be inattentive."

Sam Abay (former team-mate)

"The thought of this kind of incident being possible in this day and age seemed unlikely to me, but I couldn't have been more wrong. However much we think we are immortal behind the wheel of a racing car, we are not. We are simply human and it takes a moment like this to fully appreciate how special someone can be when they are sadly taken away from us.

"Henry was a racing driver, a friend, a peer and at one point my team-mate. This tragic event has devastated myself and those who knew him. If only we could turn back the clock. My heart goes out to Henry, John, Jane, and all of his family."

Carlin Motorsport (Surtees' team for the British F3 finale in 2008)

"Carlin Motorsport are today mourning the loss of Henry Surtees, a dear friend to the team and a former Carlin driver. Henry was tragically killed in an accident in Sunday's Formula 2 race, aged just 18, at his home circuit of Brands Hatch.

"Henry raced with Carlin in the 2007 Formula BMW UK championship, and won for the team in British F3 at the Donington Park round last year. He remained a dear friend to many team members and recently assisted Carlin in its KTM X-BOW and track day projects.

"The thoughts and hearts of everyone at Carlin go out to Henry's parents, John and Jane, his sisters, family members and friends at this very sad time."

Tony Teixeira (A1GP chairman)

"I want to send my personal condolences and those of everyone in A1GP to Jane and John Surtees after the tragic death of their son Henry at the weekend.

"John is a great ambassador for motorsport and when I met him through his involvement with our series as A1 Team Great Britain's team principal, I realised why. He was a devoted father to Henry, and I know he was a son who was not only likely to follow in his footsteps as a racing driver, but also as a person who gave a hundred per cent to everything he did.

"Sadly this accident highlights the dangers involved in the sport and makes us all appreciate certain things in life. I hope Jane and John can gain some comfort from knowing the respect all of them have in motorsport worldwide. Our thoughts go out to both of them at this difficult time."

The FIA, which is the governing body of the Formula 2 championship, has also released a statement: "Following yesterday's tragic accident, the FIA extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Henry Surtees. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."

Tony and Sarah Shaw (Manor Competition, Surtees' 2008 Formula Renault team)

"Manor Competition wishes to send its heartfelt condolences to the family of Henry Surtees who tragically lost his life in an accident during a Formula 2 Championship race at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday, 19th July.

"Henry competed with Manor in Formula Renault UK in 2008. The team feels privileged to have known and worked with such a talented and thoroughly professional young man. Our hearts go out to Henry's parents, John and Jane, and all of his family and friends."

John Booth (Manor Motorsport boss)

"I met Henry a few times and of course know his father John. As well as being a very nice lad, he was clearly talented and a driver destined for success. I was very sad to hear of his death, which is shocking for all of us involved in motorsport.

"Together with everyone here at Manor, I would like to send our sincerest condolences to John, his family and their friends. Our thoughts are with them."

FIA

Following yesterday's tragic accident, the FIA extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Henry Surtees. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

UK Motor Sports Association

"On behalf of UK motorsport, the Motor Sports Association sends it deepest condolences to the family and friends of Henry Surtees who was tragically killed yesterday in the Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch. Our thoughts are with his parents, John and Jane, and the rest of the Surtees family at this difficult time."