Formula 1 mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II

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.”

In a statement on Twitter, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem wrote: “On behalf of the @FIA community, I offer our sincere condolences to the Royal Family on the very sad news of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. We pay tribute to her remarkable life of service. Our thoughts are with the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.”

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.”

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.”

Queen Elizabeth II bestowed knighthoods on four Formula 1 drivers during her 70-year reign, with Sir Lewis Hamilton the most recent, joining Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jack Brabham and Sir Jackie Stewart.

And writing of Queen Elizabeth’s passing on social media, Hamilton said: “How do you find the words to describe the loss of Her Majesty The Queen? She was truly an iconic leader, an inspiration and a reassuring presence for most, if not all, of our lives.

“Since the sad news yesterday, I’ve been reflecting on her incredible life. She was a symbol of hope for so many and she served her country with dignity, dedication and kindness. She was truly like no other and I’m grateful to have lived during her time. Her legacy will be long-lasting and her passing deeply felt.

“I had the incredible honour of being able to spend time with her. It is something I’ll never forget. We talked about our shared love of dogs and she was incredibly generous with her time. I know the whole nation and many others around the world will be mourning her loss and my thoughts and prayers are with her family and all those close to her, who have lost a loved one. Rest in Peace.”