Tributes have been paid to a Williams Racing apprentice who died in a traffic collision.

Daniel Cracknell was a prototype and test apprentice in the Williams Formula One team, which is based in Grove, and died at the weekend following an incident on a motorbike.

No further details have been released about the circumstances around Mr Cracknell’s passing.  

The 20-year-old’s death was described by the Williams team as “tragic”.

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Williams F1 has confirmed the race team trackside at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will wear black armbands as a mark of respect, while the flag at Williams GQ in Grove is flying at half mast.

Mr Cracknell’s former school, Prince Henry’s High School in Evesham, said he was a “wonderful student” and the school community has been left “shocked and saddened” by his death.

A spokesperson for Williams Racing said: “Williams Racing is devastated at the loss of Dan Cracknell, an apprentice from the team who tragically lost his life last weekend at the age of 20 following a road traffic accident.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this extremely sad time.”

Oxford Mail: Daniel Cracknell was a prototype and test apprentice in the Williams Formula One teamDaniel Cracknell was a prototype and test apprentice in the Williams Formula One team (Image: Prince Henry's)

Prince Henry’s headteacher Dr Tony Evans and Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form Mrs Clare Webb released a joint statement on Monday (November 14).

They said: “We were extremely shocked and saddened to learn of the death of a former student, Daniel Cracknell, following a motorbike accident.

“Dan attended Prince Henry’s from 2015 to 2020; after leaving school Dan gained an apprenticeship at the Williams Formula One team in their Prototype and Test department.  Today, the flags at the Williams site have been at half-mast, the team staff will be wearing black armbands at the forthcoming Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi this weekend and the race cars will bear his name.

“One of our Senior Prefects during 2019-20, Dan played a full and active part in school life, including supporting other students as a Maths Buddy and being an enthusiastic member of the Vex Robotics group.

“Mrs Cox, who was his form tutor in Years 12 and 13, remembers someone with a tremendous sense of humour who always enjoyed getting involved in group activities during Tutor Time. 

“His subject teachers commented upon what a hard-working, excellent and talented student he was. 

“In short, Dan was a wonderful student who made a great contribution to school life and exemplified all of the values that are so important to us at Prince Henry’s.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Daniel’s family at this incredibly sad and difficult time.”

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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