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Surtees dies after Brands crash

Image: Tragedy: John Surtees

Henry Surtees, the son of 1964 Formula One world champion John Surtees, has died as a result of injuries sustained in a crash.

Teenager succumbs to injuries sustained in F2 crash

Henry Surtees, the son of 1964 Formula One world champion John Surtees, has died as a result of injuries sustained in a crash at Brands Hatch on Sunday. Competing in a Formula Two race at the Kent circuit, the 18-year-old was struck on the head by a wheel and tyre from the car of Jack Clarke, which had spun into the wall exiting Westfield Bend. Surtees was knocked unconscious by the impact and his car subsequently collided with the barriers at the following Sheene corner. Trackside medics extracted Surtees from his car before he was taken to the circuit's medical centre. He was airlifted to the Royal London hospital after being stabilised by the medical team but a hospital spokesman confirmed during the evening that Surtees had succumbed to his injuries. Surtees secured a drive in the new F2 series over the winter after contesting the 2008 Formula Renault UK Championship and Winter Series. He also made his British Formula Three debut at the final round of the season, claiming a victory and a podium finish in the National Class. Surtees only claimed his first F2 podium on Saturday when he finished third in the weekend's opening race at Brands. Henry's father John Surtees is 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. The 75-year-old also fielded his own Team Surtees cars in F1, F2 and Formula 5000 in the 1970s.

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