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Justin Wilson: British IndyCar driver dies after crash
British driver Justin Wilson has died after being struck by flying debris and suffering a serious head injury in Sunday’s Pocono IndyCar 500 race.
Wilson was airlifted to hospital from the Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania after Sage Karam’s car spun and crashed in front of him on lap 179 of 200.
Debris from Karam’s car hit ex-Formula 1 driver Wilson, 37, and the Andretti Autosport driver crashed into a wall.
IndyCar officials said his death was a “monumentally sad day”.
Mark Miles, chief executive of Hulman & Co, the parent company of IndyCar, said “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.”
Justin Wilson (left) contested F1 11 races for Minardi in 2003 before moving to Jaguar, where he was team-mate to Mark Webber
A seven-time IndyCar race winner, Wilson, from Sheffield, is survived by his wife, Julia, and two daughters.
In a statement his family said he was a “loving father and devoted husband, as well as a highly competitive racing driver who was respected by his peers”.
His brother Stefan, also a racing driver, paid tribute on social media, saying: “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 lived for this sport, he loved it. The only comfort I feel is that he lived a life he loved.”
An Andretti Autosport team statement said: “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 line-up 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.”
Justin Wilson, pictured during Sunday’s race, was Champ Car series runner-up in 2006 and 2007
Wilson competed for Minardi and Jaguar during the 2003 Formula 1 season, contesting 16 races, scoring his only career point at that year’s United States Grand Prix.
He moved to the US the following year and competed in Champ Car from 2004 to 2007, finishing as series runner-up in 2006 and 2007.
Wilson then switched to IndyCar racing in 2008 after Champ Car merged with the Indy Racing League and was making his 174th IndyCar start in Sunday’s race.
His final victory came at the Firestone 550 at Texas Motor Speedway in June 2012.
Karam, who was leading the race at the time of the crash, has been released from hospital after treatment for heel and wrist injuries.
“I can’t find the proper words to describe the pain and sympathy I feel for Justin and his family,” he said on social media.
Wilson’s death comes four years after fellow British driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, 33, lost his life at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
BBC Sport