Formula 1 has reached Spa again, the track that’s exciting, but also haunted by the fatal crash of Anthoine Hubert. Every year, the corner where he passed away is filled with flowers in a touching gesture by fans and his best friend, Pierre Gasly. So, as we visit the legendary track again, let’s take a look at the store of Anthoine Hubert.
Anthoine Hubert: A Rising Star
Anthoine Hubert was not just another rising talent; he was the driver everyone in the paddock remembered for his kindness, hunger, and sheer racing skill. Born on 22 September 1996 in Lyon, France, Hubert started karting at age nine and quickly moved up the ranks. By 2013, he was the French F4 champion, and his name started to appear on lists of future Formula 1 hopefuls.
Moving through the junior single-seater categories, he showed not just speed, but a determination and racecraft you’d expect from someone bound for success. He won races in Formula Renault and claimed the 2018 GP3 Series championship with ART Grand Prix, 11 podiums, and a consistency that set him apart. He became part of the Renault Sport Academy, signalling he was on F1’s radar.
Hubert’s Career: The Fast Lane to Formula 1
2013: Dominated French F4 and won the championship.
2015: Won in Formula Renault 2.0 but never took a full title.
2018: Became GP3 Series champion, his breakthrough year.
2019: Moved to FIA Formula 2 with BWT Arden, took two wins in his rookie year, at Monaco and his home track, Paul Ricard.
Anthoine Hubert was just 22, already with an F2 win in Monaco and a home race win under his belt. Big teams and fans took notice, and he was already set for another season in 2020.
The Crash That Changed Everything
Spa-Francorchamps is already a legend in motorsport, and since 2019, Anthoine Hubert is forever a part of its story. On 31 August 2019, during the Formula 2 feature race, Hubert was caught in a nightmare scenario.
Going up Eau Rouge and Raidillon, one of the fastest, most dangerous corners in racing, another driver, Giuliano Alesi, spun after a puncture, spreading debris and chaos. Hubert tried to avoid the carnage but clipped another car and hit the wall hard. What followed was unthinkable: another car, driven by Juan Manuel Correa, struck Hubert’s almost-stationary car at over 218km/h. It was an impact nobody could walk away from.
Anthoine Hubert was taken to the medical centre but sadly passed away, aged just 22. Correa was left with serious injuries. The racing world paused in shock, and everyone understood the risks, but it hurt to lose someone so promising, so young.
What Happened After: Shock, Tributes, and Change
Anthoine Hubert’s passing sent shockwaves through motorsport. Drivers, teams, and fans all paid tribute with heartfelt messages and gestures. A minute’s silence was held before the next day’s F1 and F3 races at Spa. Charles Leclerc, a close friend and rival from their karting days, dedicated his maiden F1 victory that Sunday to Hubert. On lap 19 of the F1 race, fans and teams stood up and cheered in memory, Hubert’s F2 car number was 19.
His loss was deeply felt, but it also sparked conversations about safety. The FIA, governing motorsport, investigated the accident and found no single person or mistake to blame. Sometimes, in racing, things happen beyond anyone’s control. Still, they pledged to look at ways to make things even safer.
From that day, Spa-Francorchamps became more than just a classic track. Now, every lap through Eau Rouge is a reminder of talent, risk, and a rising star lost too soon. Anthoine Hubert didn’t make it to F1, but he made sure no one would forget his name at Spa. Every year, drivers, fans, and teams remember him. For many, Spa is beautiful and brutal, a place to cheer and to remember Anthoine Hubert.
Also Read: The Touching Reason Pierre Gasly Brings Flowers To Spa Every Year
