The Formula Two feature race at Spa-Francorchamps was red flagged after an horrific accident on the exit of Eau Rouge resulted in the death of 22-year-old French driver Anthoine Hubert.
Stewards confirmed that the race had been cancelled and will not be restarted, and the FIA issued a statement shortly before 6pm to confirm the tragic news.
It read: “The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) regrets to advise that a serious incident involving cars #12, #19 and #20 occurred at 17:07 CET on 31/08/19 as a part of the FIA Formula 2 Sprint Race at Spa-Francorchamps, round 17 of the season.
“The scene was immediately attended by emergency and medical crews, and all drivers were taken to the medical centre.
“As a result of the incident, the FIA regrets to inform that the driver of car #19, Antoine Hubert (FRA), succumbed to his injuries, and passed away at 18:35 local time."
Footage revealed that Hubert lost control of his BWT Arden on the run through Eau Rouge, making contact with the wall on the outside of Radillon.
As his car ran back across the run-off area, Juan Manuel Correa hit Hubert side-on as he attempted to avoid Guiliano Alesi's spinning Trident. The collision caused significant damage to both cars as the hit the wall again, with Correa going airborne and coming to a rest upside down. The impact was fierce enough to expose Correa's feet as the front section of the car broke away, leaving him trapped in the cockpit, while Hubert's F2 broke into two as the monocoque split from the rear section of the car.
The FIA also confirmed that Correa was in a "stable condition".
“The driver of car #12, Juan-Manuel Correa (USA), is in a stable condition and is being treated at the CHU Liège hospital. More information on his condition will be provided when it becomes available," the statement added.
“The driver of car #20 Giuliano Alesi (FRA) was checked and declared fit at the medical centre.
“The FIA is providing support to the event organisers and the relevant authorities, and has commenced an investigation into the incident.”
Sato was pictured by the world feed broadcast walking away from the accident, while the remaining cars in the race were brought back to the pit lane where the decision was quickly taken not to restart the session.
Mick Schumacher and Nicolas Latifi were involved in a separate collision at the first corner that left the latter with a puncture, while Ralph Boschung's car picked up damage when running through the debris of the main accident.
