LEWIS HAMILTON’S sixth Formula One world championship came less than a month after a member of his Mercedes team was tragically killed.
The British racing star, 34, sealed the individual title on Sunday with his second-placed finish at the US Grand Prix in Texas.
Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team suffered tragedy three weeks ago when a member of the team was killed in a car accidentCredit: AFP or licensors
Three weeks earlier, Mercedes wrapped up the constructors’ championship in Japan as both Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas secured podium finishes.
But less than 48 hours after the success in the Far East, the team was in mourning.
As revealed by the Mail, shortly after midnight on Tuesday October 15, one of their employees crashed on his way home from their base at Brackley, Northamptonshire.
The 29-year-old worker, who has not been named, was driving a white Mercedes 300 AMG on the A422 between Brackley and Farthinghoe when he came off the carriageway, mounted a grass verge and hit a tree.
He was pronounced dead at the scene and the police are preparing a file for the coroner following an investigation.
Sources told the Mail that the team was left devastated by the fatality.
A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Police said: “Just after midnight on Tuesday, October 15, a White Mercedes 300 AMG travelling in the direction of Farthinghoe left the carriageway, for reasons yet unknown, mounted the grass verge and collided with a tree. As a result of the collision, the driver, a 29-year-old man, died at the scene.”
The force have also called for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.
A spokesperson for Mercedes added: “We can sadly confirm that a team member lost his life in a road traffic accident when returning home on the evening of Monday 14 October.
“The team is in contact with the family and supporting them at this difficult time.”
Earlier in the season, Mercedes suffered another tragedy as they lost non-executive chairman Niki Lauda.
The Austrian F1 legend passed away in May in Switzerland at the age of 70, with Hamilton among the many in the sport to pay their respects.
And the British driver dedicated his title triumph this year to Lauda after the impact the three-time world champion had on his career.
Hamilton said: “This season is for Niki Lauda, my incredible friend and mentor who we lost this year, who proved that courage and determination go hand in hand.
“This one’s for you, Niki. I’ll continue to make you proud.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
