Freak race death of former Formula 1 champion's son

The son of former Formula One world champion John Surtees has been killed in a freak motor racing accident at Brands Hatch.

Henry Surtees was struck on the head by the flying tyre of competitor Jack Clarke's car following a collision during the second of the weekend's races at the Kent circuit on Sunday.

The 18-year-old was knocked unconscious by the impact before his car ploughed into the barriers at the following Sheene corner.



He was airlifted to hospital following the accident but died shortly after. A spokesman for Kent Police said:"It appears it was a tragic accident."

Surtees claimed his first F2 podium finish on Saturday when he finished third in the weekend's opening race at Brands Hatch. He had secured a drive in F2 over the winter following a breakthrough year in 2008, which saw him latterly make his debut in British Formula Three.

His father, John Surtees, is famously the only man to have won world titles on both two and four wheels. He claimed multiple 500cc motorcycle world championships before winning the F1 crown with Ferrari in 1964.