British Formula One racing star Jenson Button has led the tributes to the IndyCar driver Justin Wilson, who died from his injuries after being struck in the head by debris at Pocono Raceway on Sunday.
Wilson, who was 37 and from Sheffield in the north of England, had been in a coma since the incident. He passed away on Monday night at a Pennsylvania hospital.
McLaren driver Button raced with Wilson in his karting days as far back as 1989 and remembered his “infectious smile”, describing him as “a lovely guy” in a series of tweets.
The motorsport World comes 2 a standstill once again. @justin_wilson was a great person & racing driver. My thoughts are with his family RIP
— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) August 25, 2015
Identities from across the world of motor racing paid their respects to Wilson with an outpouring of shock and grief. Many indicated how Wilson, a father of two, was a loving family man as well as a talented race car driver.
Wilson’s IndyCar driver brother, Stefan, shared the same sentiments, expressing his devastation at losing his “hero” and “best friend”.
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!
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) August 25, 2015
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
— Stefan Wilson (@stef_wilson) August 25, 2015
The “distraught” reigning IndyCar champion, Australian Will Power, said Wilson was “a fantastic human being and will be dearly missed”, adding that his thoughts were with the family he had left behind: two daughters, aged seven and five, and his wife, Julia.
IndyCar set up a fund for people wishing to donate to Wilson’s children, and Pocono Raceway asked for donations to go to his family in lieu of flowers.
Donations can be made to Justin's children via: Wilson Children's Fund, c/o INDYCAR, 4551 W. 16th St., Indianapolis, IN 46222. #BadassWilson
— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar) August 25, 2015
Despite joining Andretti Autosport only this year, the team’s owner, Michael Andretti, described Wilson as “a great friend and even greater person”. Other personalities of the motor sports world spoke of their sadness at his death.
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
— Michael Andretti (@michaelandretti) August 25, 2015
No words, just heartbreaking. I'm so sad, thoughts & prayers to Justin's family. Can't believe it. RIP & Godspeed #justinwilson
— Will Davison (@will_davison) August 25, 2015
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.
— Charlie Kimball (@charliekimball) August 25, 2015
So sad to hear that we lost Justin Wilson today. Thoughts & prayers to his family and friends.
— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) August 25, 2015
Wilson’s death has again raised the debate about the dangers of open wheel racing with the inherent danger of wheels making contact with each other.
Wilson is the eighth driver to die since 1996 while competing in an open wheel race in North America.
The former American racing driver Eddie Cheever told AFP that the tragic events of Sunday should lead to change in the sport.
“I think that it is time solutions are looked for and I think it is time the drivers got together and came up with a few ideas and I sincerely hope some progress will be made on this issue,” Cheever said.
“Safety is a continuous project and in the past IndyCar has done a very good job of doing it. But this is something they are going to have to focus on more than they have done in the past.”
The most recent death before this incident came in 2011 when another British driver, Dan Wheldon, was killed in a fiery 15-car pileup at the Las Vegas motor speedway.
The 33-year-old’s car flew almost 100 metres into the air before striking the safety fence and crashing back on to the track. Wheldon was killed when his head struck a post in the fence.
