The podium finishers of the inaugural India Grand Prix, on Sunday, remembered IndyCar racer Dan Wheldon and Moto GP rider Marco Simoncelli who died recently in car crashes, with second-placed Jenson Button dedicating the race to the two drivers.
Wheldon was killed in a 15-car pile-up in an IndyCar race in Las Vegas while Simoncelli died due to injuries sustained in a crash in the Malaysian MotoGP last weekend, sending shockwaves through the highly competitive world of motorsports,
"It was a tough weekend last week with two fatalities. I knew Dan very well. It is a very sad race. I think we should dedicate this race to Marco and Dan," McLaren Mercedes' Button said.
Paying tributes to Wheldon and Simoncelli, race winner Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull said, "We pray that every time nothing happens as Marco Simoncelli and Dan Wheldon disappeared last weekend and we will never forget these young committed two drivers."
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who finished third, too, got emotional as he recalled the tragic accidents which led to the death of the two drivers.
"Mixed feelings after sad days for motorsports with two fatalities and we will remember these two fantastic friends," Alonso said.
