REIGATE'S Formula One driver Max Chilton has paid tribute to Danish racing driver Allan Simonsen who has died today.
The 34-year-old was taking part in the Le Mans 24 Hour endurance race when, just three laps in, his Aston Martin spun off the track and into the safety barriers at the ultra-quick Tertre Rouge bend, demolishing his car.
An experienced driver, competing in the famous race for the seventh time, many have described the horror crash, which ripped the door off Simonsen's car, as a 'freak accident'.
And with the motorsport world in mourning, F1 ace Chilton passed on his condolences to Simonsen's family on Twitter.
He wrote: "Truly saddened by the news from Le Mans that Allan Simonsen has passed away after his lap 3 accident!
Thought are with his family & friends."
While Whyteleafe-based racing starlet Charlie Robertson wrote: "RIP Allan Simonsen, can't believe it. Makes us realise how dangerous motorsport can be. Thoughts are with your family and friends. #ripallan"
And South Godstone's Jody Fannin, who races a Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, simply added: "RIP Allan Simonsen".
