Strength shown by Hubert's family "phenomenal" - Ricciardo
Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo has praised the "phenomenal" strength Anthoine Hubert’s family has shown in returning to Spa-Francorchamps one year on from the youngster's death.

Hubert was killed in a crash during last year’s Formula 2 feature race at Spa, and a minute’s silence took place ahead of the category’s event yesterday. A further ceremony is planned before the Belgian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo was deeply affected by the death of the Renault junior driver 12 months ago, and admitted at the time that he even had doubts about carrying on racing after the tragedy.
But while time has healed much of Ricciardo’s pain, he says he has been impressed with the way the Hubert family has conducted itself.
“To see some of his family still here this weekend...I would imagine there would be so much kind of animosity at this venue for his family, and for them to even want to be in the circuit surroundings, I just can't imagine that's easy,” he said.
“So for them to show up again...I just take my hat off. The strength and I would say peace they have with it, is nothing short of phenomenal.”
Read Also:
Ricciardo said that while time had helped him better cope with the events of 12 months ago, he said that returning to Spa had been emotional.
“Time does heal certainly,” he said. “So I will say it is a little easier 12 months later, but it's still difficult.
“We're all on the grid before the F2 race, and it's still very present, I guess is probably the best word.
“And yeah, coming back here. You don't feel that affect as much say two weeks ago, when we're racing around Barcelona. But coming back to the place of the accident, there's something there. So it's still fresh in a way. But it is a bit easier to keep to the back of your mind on track after a year.”
Related video

Previous article
Racing Point explains failed qualifying strategy at Spa
Next article
The Belgian GP as it happened

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Event | Belgian GP |
Drivers | Daniel Ricciardo , Anthoine Hubert |
Author | Jonathan Noble |
Strength shown by Hubert's family "phenomenal" - Ricciardo
Trending
How Do Drivers Stay Fit For F1 Grand Prix?
Ronnie Peterson and Jochen Rindt Tribute
#ThinkingForward with Juan Pablo Montoya
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his teammate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen's emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber teammate's own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here's how Nick Heidfeld's career was chilled by the Iceman.
The nightmare timing that now hinders Mercedes
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton took victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix despite, for a change, not having the quickest car. But any hopes of developing its W12 to surpass Red Bull's RB16B in terms of outright speed could not have come at a worse time.
How Verstappen's Bahrain mistake can only make him stronger
Max Verstappen lost out to Lewis Hamilton at the Bahrain Grand Prix by a tiny margin, slipping off the track just as victory was within his grasp. But the painful lesson from defeat can only help Verstappen come back even stronger