The F1 world pauses to remember Justin Wilson

2015 F1 season

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Justin Wilson’s former F1 rivals and team colleagues led the tributes to the driver who has passed away following a crash in an IndyCar race on Sunday.

Wilson raced for Jaguar (now Red Bull) and Minardi (now Toro Rosso) in the 2003 Formula One season before moving his career to America, where he won races in Champ Car and IndyCar.

A tragic loss. All at the Team send their deepest condolences to Justin’s family and friends at this time.
Red Bull

We knew him well, since 2003… Justin Wilson, you will be missed! All our thoughts are with his family.
Toro Rosso

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.
Franz Tost

Last night a very good man left us.

Mate. So sorry.

RIP Justin.

My thoughts are with your loved ones.
Mark Webber

RIP Justin Wilson, my thoughts are with his family and friends. So sad, difficult to accept.
Fernando Alonso

The motorsport world comes to a standstill once again. Justin Wilson was a great person and racing driver. My thoughts are with his family.

I raced with Justin as far back as 1989 in karting and remember his smile was infectious, such a lovely guy. RIP Justin
Jenson Button

Terrible news to hear that Justin Wilson has left us. Had the pleasure to meet him at Daytona and that smile will always be remembered.
Felipe Nasr

RIP Justin Wilson. All my thoughts and prayers for his family. Let’s be united and work for better safety.
Esteban Gutierrez

Fly high my friend and rest in peace…
Pastor Maldonado

Such sad news. Our deepest condolences go to Justin’s family and all who knew and admired him. RIP Justin…
Lotus

All at McLaren are deeply saddened to hear the news about Justin Wilson. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Justin Wilson
McLaren

Very very sad news to wake up to. RIP Justin Wilson. The motorsport world will truly miss you. Thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Carlos Sainz Jnr

Our thoughts today are with the family and friends of Justin Wilson. A great driver and an even greater man.

Today, we remember Justin Wilson as he would want us to – a true racer and a winner, flat out to the flag.
Mercedes

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.
Lewis Hamilton

RIP JustinWilson. Thoughts are with his family and friends…
Stoffel Vandoorne

Extremely sad to hear that Justin Wilson has passed away. All my thoughts are with his family RIP Justin
Marcus Ericsson

With deep sadness, we take note of Justin Wilson’s death. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Sauber

Heartbreaking news about Justin Wilson’s death. All our thoughts are with Julia, Stefan, the rest of the family and the IndyCar community.
Williams

Awful news for motor racing again… Justin Wilson you will be truly missed.
Max Verstappen

Dreadful news from the U.S. this morning. Our deepest condolences to Justin’s family and everyone at Andretti Autosport.
Manor

Very sad news this morning, RIP Justin Wilson. My thoughts are with the family.
Valtteri Bottas

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.
Kevin Magnussen

Very sad news this morning we have louse another great driver. All my condolences are with his family RIP Justin
Roberto Merhi

This sport can be so damn harsh. It breaks my heart. I wish Justin’s family all my love and support
Daniel Ricciardo

Another terrible loss for the motorsport world! Thoughts are with his family and friends!
Will Stevens

A very sad day for motorsports. RIP Justin Wilson. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Felipe Massa

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    Keith Collantine
    Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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    3 comments on “The F1 world pauses to remember Justin Wilson”

    1. ILuvSoundtracks (@)
      25th August 2015, 11:31

      R.I.P. Justin Wilson.

    2. Justin’s career in Formula 1 started so uniquely, with his management starting a crowdfunding campaign, in which you could buy shares in Justin’s career, funding his Minardi seat. When Justin took Antonio Pizzonia’s seat at Jaguar, I remember Jos Verstappen saying he was making the mistake of his career. Like so many Minardi drivers before him, Wilson was getting recognition of being a talented rookie, but only got five races to prove himself. Then Jaguar went for Christian Klien, for the next year. I think there’s no other way of describing his Formula 1 career disappointing, especially for the talent Wilson had. I’m glad that he did get to show the world his talent in both Champ Car and IndyCar, but the always present ‘what if’, is present here too: what if Wilson had stayed the season at Minardi?

    3. Evil Homer (@)
      25th August 2015, 15:53

      Hmmmmm- Its funny (and certainly not haha funny!!) that the drivers seem to have had a change in their mental thoughts of their own mortality of late- and not without good cause of course.
      When looking at the comments from Spa Vettel, Rosberg (both involved in tyre failures) then Hamilton (not involved) all suggested what could happen if it occurred at other places on the track – not good!!

      Thoughts like this wouldn’t have occurred 5-10 years ago (at least in public) as drivers felt safer as they had not lost a driver since Ayrton and were pretty safe.

      While safer than ever it is still motor sport!!

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