Motorsport figures close to John and Henry Surtees have paid tribute to 18-year-old Henry, who died following an accident in Sunday's Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch.
Surtees was struck on the head by the left rear wheel and tire from the car of Jack Clarke, who had crashed at Westfield Bend. He was airlifted to hospital but died from his injuries on Sunday evening.
John Surtees paid tribute to his son in a statement earlier today, and those close to the family have begun to pay their own respects.
Former triple World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx, who was a driver coach and mentor for Henry during his first year in single-seater racing in Formula BMW in 2007, said: "Our sport can be cruel, but never crueller than when it claims a life. It is a tragedy when this happens and yesterday we witnessed this at Brands Hatch. Henry Surtees was a fine young man on the verge of his career in the sport, who I had the pleasure to tutor when he was racing in Formula BMW.
"His death highlights the dangers that we face and my heart goes out to his parents, John and Jane Surtees. John is one of my motor racing heroes who has achieved so much over his life in the sport. As a driver and also a father of a son who may one day want to follow my footsteps into the sport, it is hard to imagine coming to terms with such a loss."
One of Surtees' former teams, Carlin Motorsport, has released the following statement.
"Carlin Motorsport are today mourning the loss of Henry Surtees, a dear friend to the team and a former Carlin driver. Henry was tragically killed in an accident in Sunday's Formula 2 race, aged just 18, at his home circuit of Brands Hatch. Henry raced with Carlin in the 2007 Formula BMW UK championship, and won for the team in British F3 at the Donington Park round last year. He remained a dear friend to many team members and recently assisted Carlin in its KTM X-BOW and track day projects.
"The thoughts and hearts of everyone at Carlin go out to Henry's parents, John and Jane, his sisters, family members and friends at this very sad time."
Manor Motorsport and Manor GP boss John Booth made the following comment about Surtees, who raced for the Formula Renault arm of his operation, Manor Competition, in 2008.
"I met Henry a few times and of course know his father John. As well as being a very nice lad, he was clearly talented and a driver destined for success. I was very sad to hear of his death, which is shocking for all of us involved in motorsport. Together with everyone here at Manor, I would like to send our sincerest condolences to John, his family and their friends. Our thoughts are with them."
A1GP chairman Tony Teixeira, who knows the Surtees family from John's time as A1 Team Great Britain's team principal, added: "I want to send my personal condolences and those of everyone in A1GP to Jane and John Surtees after the tragic death of their son Henry at the weekend. John is a great ambassador for motorsport and when I met him through his involvement with our series I realized why. He was a devoted father to Henry, and I know he was a son who was not only likely to follow in his footsteps as a racing driver, but also as a person who gave a hundred per cent to everything he did.
"Sadly, this accident highlights the dangers involved in the sport and makes us all appreciate certain things in life. I hope Jane and John can gain some comfort from knowing the respect all of them have in motorsport worldwide. Our thoughts go out to both of them at this difficult time."
The FIA, which is the governing body of the Formula 2 championship, has also released a statement: "Following yesterday's tragic accident, the FIA extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Henry Surtees. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time."