Formula 1 pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II following her death

Henry Valantine
Queen Elizabeth II. Diamond Jubilee June 2022.

British monarch Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at her Diamond Jubilee. June 2022.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has passed away aged 96, and Formula 1 teams and senior figures have paid tribute to the British monarch.

The news was announced on Thursday as the reign of the United Kingdom’s longest-serving monarch came to an end, confirmed by the Royal Family in a short statement.

“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” the news read.

“The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow.”

Formula 1 teams and figures have paid tribute to Her Majesty following the news, including the sport’s CEO Stefano Domenicali, who wrote: “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.”

Formula 1 plans to recognise the Queen’s passing with a minute’s silence before FP1 and will likely mark it again on the grid ahead of Sunday’s race.

The majority of teams in Formula 1 are either British-owned or have bases in Britain, with a rich motorsport heritage which has continued through decades of her reign – with Her Majesty having passed a unique milestone of celebrating a Diamond Jubilee back in June, celebrating 70 years on the throne.

The McLaren Technology Centre was officially opened by the Queen back in 2004, and the team expressed their sadness, writing: “The team at McLaren Racing mourn the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whilst also remembering her incredible reign. Our thoughts are with The Royal Family and people around the world during this terribly sad time.”

Mercedes driver George Russell posted on social media: “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 generations 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.”

Team principals have also paid tribute, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff saying in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, an inspiring figure who dedicated her life to public service with integrity and quiet leadership for seventy years.

“The impact she made in the UK and around the world will be felt for generations to come and the values she stood for are the best of all human values: Dignity, respect and compassion.”

Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence Stroll said: “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 duty to the United Kingdom and 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 our mourning.”

A statement from Williams said: “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, with HM Queen Elizabeth II was devoted to for more than seventy years of inspirational public service.”

Tributes have been widespread in Formula 1 and the wider world, as Britain’s head of state has passed away at the age of 96.

Her son now becomes His Majesty King Charles III, and he published his own words regarding the death of his mother.

“The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” he wrote.

“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”

Formula 1