Ferrari join Surtees in mourning dead son

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Ferrari joined former Formula One world champion John Surtees in mourning on Monday after his teenage son Henry died of injuries suffered in a race at Brands Hatch.

With his parents watching, the 18-year-old was hit on the head by a loose wheel from another car that bounced across the track during a Formula Two race at the southern English circuit on Sunday.

The Briton, whose 75-year-old father won the 1964 Formula One title with Ferrari and went on to run his own team, was knocked unconscious and his Williams-designed car went straight into the barriers. He was pronounced dead on Sunday night.

"Henry had followed his heart from the time he first sat in a kart," said Surtees, also a multiple motorcycling champion and still the only man to win world titles on two wheels and four, in a statement.

"Despite bad luck in his motorsport, he had shown himself to be one with the possibilities of reaching the very top. Despite his young age he had shown maturity, technical understanding and speed."

The youngster had taken his first podium finish in Formula Two, a series revived this year by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) as a low-cost stepping stone to Formula One, only the day before.

John Booth, whose Manor team are due to enter Formula One next year, said Surtees was "clearly talented and a driver destined for success."

The FIA issued a statement of condolence and said it was awaiting a report of the incident while Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa both expressed their sorrow.