Former Formula 1 world motor racing champion John Surtees paid tribute yesterday to his son Henry who died following an accident during a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch.

Henry Surtees was airlifted to hospital following the accident at the Kent race circuit on Sunday but died shortly after.

In a statement yesterday, Surtees Snr said: "Henry had followed his heart from the time he first sat in a kart.

"The world beckoned and he was thriving on the freedom to concentrate on 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.

"Most importantly he was a nice person and a loving son. He will be deeply missed."

Surtees was struck on the head by a wheel and tyre from the car of Jack Clarke, which spun into the wall exiting Westfield Bend at Brands Hatch.

He was knocked unconscious by the impact and his car collided with the barriers.

A spokesman for Kent Police confirmed the 18 year old had died. He added: "Kent Police is not involved because it was a motor racing incident as opposed to anything suspicious. It appears it was a tragic accident."

A spokeswoman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said it attended the incident at 1.30pm on Sunday and a man was airlifted to the Royal London hospital with head injuries.

Surtees claimed his first F2 podium finish on Saturday when he finished third in the weekend's opening race at the Kent circuit.

He secured a drive in F2 over the winter after a breakthrough year in 2008, when he contested the Formula Renault UK Championship and Winter Series, and made his debut in British Formula 3 at the final round of the campaign, when he claimed a victory and a podium finish for Carlin in the National Class.

His father is famously the only man to have won world titles on both two and four wheels.

He claimed multiple 500cc motorcycle world championships before winning the F1 crown with Ferrari in 1964.

The 75-year-old motor racing legend also fielded his own Team Surtees cars in F1, F2 and Formula 5000 in the 1970s.

Three-time World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx also paid tribute to Surtees.

"Our sport can be cruel, but never crueller than when it claims a life," said Priaulx, who was at Brands Hatch yesterday.

"Henry Surtees was a fine young man on the verge of his career in the sport, who I had the pleasure to tutor when he was racing in Formula BMW.

"His death highlights the dangers that we face.

"My heart goes out to his parents, Jane and John Surtees. John is one of my motor racing heroes who has achieved so much over his life in the sport.

"As a driver and the father of a son who may one day want to follow my footsteps, it's hard to imagine coming to terms with such a loss."