British racing driver Sean Edwards has died in a
crash at the Queensland Raceway in Australia.
The 26-year-old, born in London, was a passenger in a
Porsche which hit the barriers during a private test
session.
Edwards is currently leading the Porsche Supercup
championship, a series which supports Formula 1
races.
He is the son of former F1 driver Guy Edwards, who
pulled Niki Lauda out of his burning Ferrari after a
crash at the Nurburgring in 1976.
Edwards was taking part in the second day of a two-
day coaching session for young drivers at the track in
Queensland.
The driver of the car, a 20-year-old from Brisbane,
survived the high-speed crash but was stuck in the car
for more than two hours.
He is currently being treated in a local hospital having
sustained severe injuries and burns.
Monaco-based Edwards won the Nurburgring 24 Hours
in May. Driving a Mercedes, he joined forces with Bernd
Schneider, Jeroen Bleekemolen and Nicki Thiim to claim
his first major victory in endurance racing.
He also played his father in Ron Howard's movie Rush,
released last month, which focused on the rivalry
between Lauda and James Hunt during the 1976
Formula 1 season.
Past and present drivers have expressed their shock at
the news of his death.
Three-times Le Mans 24 Hours winner Allan McNish
said: "I knew his father initially from his sponsorship
days, so I have followed Sean's career a bit closer than
you would normally do.
"The tragedy of it is he was leading the Supercup
championship after such strong performances through
the middle of the year. It looked like he was going to
win.
"Also, having won the Nurburgring 24 Hours this year, I
would say this was probably his strongest year in
racing.
"He won the Porsche Supercup race in Monaco this
year by 20 seconds, which is unheard of in a one-
make-spec championship.
"This was a breakthrough year for him. He was showing
what talent he had, but had maybe never had the
opportunity to actually display it.
"Apart from that, he was a guy who loved life, loved
racing, loved cycling, was strong and fit."
Former McLaren driver and BBC F1 co-commentator
David Coulthard said: "Motor racing is a very tight-knit
community and, although Sean was racing in the
Porsche Super Cup in touring cars, it's really rocked all
those in single seaters.
"A number of the Formula 1 drivers, who are also
based in Monte Carlo, are familiar with Sean and were
part of a training pack together.
"For someone so young, who was having a great season
in motor racing having worked very hard to establish
himself as a professional driver, to lose his life in such
tragic circumstances is really terrible."
Marussia driver Max Chilton added on Twitter: "Truly
shocked to hear the devastating news about Sean
Edwards, watched him win many races and will be a
huge loss to the sport."
Former Benetton, McLaren and Jordan driver Martin
Brundle tweeted: "Terribly sad news re the death of
Sean Edwards, a very talented racer. Condolences to his
family and friends. Motorsport can be too cruel."
Hartmut Kristen, head of motorsport at Porsche, said
in a statement: "Our thoughts are with his family and
we want to express our deepest condolences to his
relatives."
The Motor Sports Association added in a statement:
"Sean was a hugely promising young racer who came
through the junior formulas in Britain, before making a
career in international sportscar racing.
"The MSA extends its deepest sympathies to Sean's
family, friends and fans at this difficult time."
Edwards had contested the Porsche Supercup series
since 2008 and holds an 18-point lead in the
championship ahead of the final two races at Yas
Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi next month.
He had a short career in single-seaters, competing in
the Formula Renault championship, before switching
his attention to GT racing.
He also competed in the FIA GT2 and GT3 series, which
he won in 2006, as well as the Le Mans Series before
focusing on the Porsche Supercup.
His death follows that of former F1 reserve driver
Maria De Villota, who was found dead in her hotel
room in Seville last week.
The 33-year-old's death was believed to have been a
consequence of the injuries she suffered during a
testing crash last year.
Four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti also
suffered a high-speed crash a week ago.
The Scot broke two vertebrae in his spine, two ribs and
an ankle.
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