|
 Wilson, a former Formula One driver and seven-time winner in IndyCar
racing, had been in critical condition in a coma at a hospital in
Allentown, Pennsylvania, before his death.
"This is a monumentally sad day for IndyCar and the motorsports
community as a whole," Mark Miles, chief executive officer of Hulman
& Co, the parent of IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, said in
a statement.
"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," Miles added.
Wilson's family said in a statement that he was a "loving father and
devoted husband, as well as a highly competitive racing driver who
was respected by his peers".
Wilson was the first IndyCar driver to die following a race accident
since fellow Briton, Dan Wheldon, was killed in a fiery crash in Las
Vegas in October 2011.
Wheldon, who died aged 33, was just one of two British drivers to
win America's most famous race, the Indy 500, on more than one
occasion. He won it in 2005 and again in 2011, the 100th anniversary
of the race.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Justin Wilson," Wilson's
Andretti Autosport team said in a statement.
"He was a tremendous racer, a valuable member of the team and
respected representative to our sport.
"His life and racing career is a story of class and passion
surpassed by none. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Wilson
family and fans worldwide."
Tributes to Wilson, who is survived by his wife and two daughters,
poured in from his fellow drivers and others in the motor racing
world.
New Zealander Scott Dixon, who won the Indy 500 in 2008 from pole
position, tweeted: "Father, Husband, Friend, just an amazing human
being. We will miss you to no end. Love to the Wilson Family.
#RIPJustin".
Brazilian Tony Kanaan, winner of the 2013 Indy 500, posted on
Twitter: "Why do we do this? Because we love it, don't want to be
anywhere else but a race car. We will keep your legacy my friend.
Racers race."
HIT BY DEBRIS
Wilson's car had careened out of control and into a wall after he
was hit by a large piece of debris from the car of Sage Karam at
Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania.
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Karam, 20, was leading the penultimate race in the IndyCar Series
when his car spun out on lap 179 of the 200-lap race, and smacked
the outside wall, sending pieces of the car airborne.
He was taken to the same hospital as Wilson with heel and wrist
injuries but was released on Sunday.
Karam will be re-evaluated before being cleared to drive, IndyCar
officials said.
"I can't find the proper words to describe the pain and sympathy I
feel for Justin and his family," Karam said in a statement on
Twitter, followed by the hashtag #RIPJustin.
Wilson's accident was reminiscent of a 2009 incident when Brazil's
Felipe Massa was struck in the helmet by a spring from Rubens
Barichello's car during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix and
had to undergo surgery.
However, the Briton's death will once again raise questions about
driver safety in IndyCar.
Since 1966 there have been 18 deaths in IndyCar (which includes the
series' previous incarnations as Champ Car, CART and Indy Racing
League). Eight alone have come at the famed Indianapolis Motor
Speedway and all but two on ovals.
"I think IndyCar has been at the head of the (safety) curve,"
American motor racing legend Mario Andretti told Reuters last year.
"There is not a sanctioning body more concerned with safety than
IndyCar.
"But on an oval you have the speed, Formula One doesn't come close
to those type of speeds and then you have cars side-by-side at
230mph.
"In a nutshell, IndyCar is definitely more dangerous because of the
ovals so they are dealing with a totally different monster."
(Reporting by Steve Ginsburg in Washington, Curtis Skinner in San
Francisco and Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter
Cooney/Greg Stutchbury)
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