Daniel Ricciardo wipes away tears, admits he didn’t want to race after death of Anthoine Hubert 

‘I’m glad today is over’: Daniel Ricciardo wipes away tears at the Belgian Grand Prix – admitting he didn’t want to race after tragic death of F2 driver Anthoine Hubert

• Normally jolly Australian choked back tears ahead of Sunday’s race
• ‘Nobody wanted to race’: Ricciardo drove day after death to show respect
• F1 Grand Prix held on same track that claimed the life of 22-year-old F2 driver 

By Alison Bevege For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 06:01 BST, 2 September 2019 | Updated: 06:01 BST, 2 September 2019

Daniel Ricciardo wiped away tears at the Belgian Grand Prix before admitting he had doubts about racing less than 24 hours after his teammate’s death.

The Renault driver shut his eyes and pursed his lips during the one-minute silence for Anthoine Hubert who died after a high-speed crash during a Formula Two race on Saturday at the Spa-Francorchamps track. 

Hubert’s mother Nathalie and brother Victor held his pink-and-white crash helmet as the teams and drivers bowed their heads in a show of respect.

Australian Formula One racer Daniel Ricciardo, pictured, was rocked by the death of his teammate in Saturday’s crash

Sunday’s Formula Two race was cancelled after Hubert’s death but the F1 Grand Prix went ahead as planned despite the sombre mood. 

It had been the first driver fatality at a Formula One race weekend since Brazilian Ayrton Senna and Austrian Roland Ratzenberger died at Imola in 1994. 

Ricciardo said he had considered sitting out the F1 race, held on the same track where Hubert died.

‘You question: Is it really worth it?’  he said.

A fan signs a memorial board for 22-year-old Frenchman Anthoine Hubert, who died after crashing at the Spa-Francorchamps track on Saturday 

Anthoine Hubert’s mother and brother held his helmet during a minute of silence

‘Because at the end of the day, it’s a simple question, but it’s a pretty honest one as well.

‘Yeah, it’s our job and it’s our profession and it’s our life, but also it’s still just racing cars around in circles.’

Ricciardo finished 14th after a difficult race in which he sustained major damage on the first lap.

All 20 cars displayed ‘Racing for Anthoine’ stickers but the Australian said nobody had wanted to race on Sunday after the tragedy.

Anthoine Hubert pictured in June when he won the Paul Ricard in France, less than three months before his death

A banner reading Anthoine Hubert 1996-2019 was displayed above the start line on Sunday

‘I’m glad today is over,’ Ricciardo said. ‘I’m glad the race is over. 

‘I know, weirdly enough, the best way we can kind of show our respect was to race today, but I don’t think any of us actually wanted to be here or wanted to race – at least, I’m speaking for myself, but I’m sure I’m not the only one.

‘It was tough, it was certainly tough to be here and try and put on a brave face for everyone. ‘I know a lot of people in the paddock are hurting after yesterday.

‘I think everyone’s relieved it’s done, and we can move on from here, and hopefully it’s the last time this stuff happens.’

The race was won for the first time by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.  

 

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