Formula 1 was today mourning the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who has passed away at the age of 96. Leading the sport’s tributes to Queen Elizabeth II was Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, who said: “Formula 1 mourns the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. For more than seven decades she dedicated her life to public service with dignity and devotion and inspired so many around the world. Formula 1 sends its deepest condolences to the Royal Family and to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth”.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem wrote: “It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The Queen was undoubtedly one of the most respected heads of state ever to have lived, and I send my condolences, and those of the entire FIA community, to the Royal Family and all of the citizens of The United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Motor sport, and especially Formula 1, has its heart in the United Kingdom, and the Royal Family has over the years given great support and patronage to the sport. For this we thank them, and those events taking place around the world this weekend will undoubtedly be undertaken in honour of her Majesty.”
British driver George Russell wrote on Twitter: “I’m so sad to hear about the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her devotion to our country and her gracious leadership were inspirational to so many generation of people in the UK and around the world. My family and I send our deepest condolences to The Royal Family and to all those who admired her service to our country for seven decades. Rest in Peace”. British-born Williams driver Alex Albon wrote: “An amazing role model and total dedication to a lifetime of public service. Thank you and rest in peace, Her Majesty the Queen.”
Among statements from the Formula 1 teams, Williams Racing – whose founders Sir Frank Williams and Sir Patrick Head were knighted in 1999 and 2015 respectively – wrote on social media: “Williams Racing joins the world in mourning the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, which HM Queen Elizabeth II was devoted to for more than seventy years of inspirational public service”. Scuderia Ferrari wrote: “Heartfelt sympathies for the loss of a groundbreaking woman. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family, the British people and our British colleagues in the paddock. May she Rest In Peace”. “The team at McLaren Racing mourn the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whilst also remembering her incredible reign. Our thoughts are with The Royal Family and people around the world during this terribly sad time”.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff added: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We send our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the UK and the Commonwealth”. Aston Martin Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll wrote: “On behalf of the entire Aston Martin family, I wish to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen. We remember the light she shone across the world; the people she brought together; the many lives she touched. We remember, too, her sense of duty – an unfailing devotion both to the United Kingdom and to the Commonwealth. Hers was a life lived beyond self. United in grief, we remember her great life – long in years and huge in achievement. To the royal family, we offer our deepest condolences as we join the world in mourning”.
