World of Formula 1 pays tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II

The world of motor sport and Formula 1 has been paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who died on Thursday aged 96 after a record 70 years on the throne.

A statement from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “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."

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem described the Queen as “undoubtedly one of the most respected heads of state ever to have lived”.

He added that “motorsport, and especially Formula 1, has its heart in the United Kingdom, and the Royal Family has over the years given great support and patronage to the sport”.

Her passing was announced by Buckingham Palace at 6:30pm with a statement that confirmed: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

The statement added that "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

The Queen had been experiencing mobility problems in recent months, but was still well enough to install Liz Truss as the new British Prime Minister at Balmoral Castle on Tuesday.

However her health appears to have suffered a steep decline in the last 48 hours, forcing her to cancel an important video conference with the British Privy Council last night.

Members of her close family flew in to be with her at the bedside in her final hours, including her son Charles who has now become King.

The news was greeted by a number of posts on social media from various drivers, teams and personalities from F1 and beyond.

The Ferrari team tweeted: "Heartfelt sympathies for the loss of a groundbreaking woman. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family, the British people and our British colleagues in the paddock. May she Rest In Peace."

Red Bull said: "We are very saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. All at Oracle Red Bull Racing send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth."

"On behalf of the entire Aston Martin Family, I wish to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen", wrote Lawrence Stroll. "We remember the light she shone across the world, the people she brought together and the many lives she touched.

"We remember too her sense of duty, an unfailing devotion both to the United Kingdom and to the Commonwealth. Here was a life lived beyond self.

"United in grief, we remember her great life - long in years and high in achievement," he added. "To the Royal Family we offer our deepest condolences as we join the world in our mourning."

Mercedes driver George Russell posted: "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.

He continued, "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."

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II," contributed Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. "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."

He added: "We send our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the UK and the Commonwealth."

Alpine issued a team statement saying: "BWT Alpine F1 Team deeply mourns the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. For more than 70 years Her Majesty has selflessly devoted her life to serving her kingdom and her people with dignity.

"She has inspired many generations across the world to act with tolerance, kindness and poise. The team expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to her family.

"We are proud to be a part of the United Kingdom community and to have many British and Commonwealth citizens in our workforce. We thank her for life-long devotion and pride in serving the country."

And from Woking: "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."

It's understood that the Queen's death will not have an impact on this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, although there will be a moment's silence before the start of Free Practice 1 on Friday morning.

Other tributes will likely be added to the schedule in due course.

F1i shares in the sadness of the people of the UK and around the world at the news of the passing of the Queen, without question an icon of modern times and in her youth an army mechanic and car enthusiast. As it does to so many others around the globe tonight, it feels like we've lost one of our own family.