Henry Surtees with Brands Hatch boss Jonathan Palmer

The saddest time in 35 years of motor racing.

That is how Brands Hatch boss Jonathan Palmer has described the sudden death of 18-year-old Henry Surtees, who lost his life during a race at the circuit yesterday.

Mr Palmer, Motorsport Vision chief executive, said he was "absolutely devastated" at the teenager's death in the Formula Two race.

He said: "This is the saddest time in my 35 years of motor racing and my deepest sympathies are with father John, mother Jane and their daughters Edwina and Leonora, together with other family and friends."

Related article: John Surtees' son dies

He said Henry was driving at about 120mph between Westfield and Sheene corners on lap nine of the race when he was struck on the head by a bouncing wheel and tyre from an accident at Westfield corner several seconds earlier.

He was knocked unconscious immediately, and taken to the Royal London Hospital, where he later died.

He had joined Formula Two for the first season of the new championship and had "immediately impressed with a pace, focus and maturity that belied his young age of 18 years."

He took pole position at Brno in the Czech Republic in only his second F2 event, and became the first British driver to win a place on the podium with third place at Brands Hatch on the day before he died.

Mr Palmer added: "Henry made a big mark in just four events and looked very likely to be a winner in F2 in the future and maybe even F1.

"Not only was Henry immensely talented but he was also a very popular member of the whole Formula Two team, making many friends amongst both the other drivers and the team members, earning enormous respect everywhere."

A detailed investigation would be carried out into the accident, he said.

Mr Palmer said his own son, Jolyon, was in the race and narrowly missed being hit himself.

He said: "The awful tragedy has not just touched, but profoundly affected many people. Our whole Formula Two team and those involved at Williams F1 are enormously saddened, shocked and stunned by what has happened.