A WILLIAMS Racing team apprentice died from a head injury suffered during a crash eight days earlier.
Daniel Cracknell’s death was described by the Grove-based F1 team for whom he worked as ‘tragic’.
Opening his inquest on Tuesday, senior coroner Darren Salter heard that the 20-year-old, who lived in Wolage Drive, Grove, died at the John Radcliffe Hospital on November 13.
He had been involved in a crash on November 5, during which he suffered a ‘serious head injury’, the coroner was told. No detail was given about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
His cause of death was given as a traumatic brain injury.
READ MORE: Tributes paid to Williams Racing apprentice
A full inquest will be held on April 12 next year, when Oxford Coroner’s Court will hear the facts surrounding the tragedy.
Earlier this month, a spokesman for Williams Racing said the company was ‘devastated’ by Mr Cracknell’s death.
Flags at the team’s Grove headquarters were flown at half mast. In tribute, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix team members wore black armbands and the former apprentice’s name was printed on driver Alex Albon’s car.
Mr Cracknell's former school, Prince Henry's High School in Evesham, described him as a ‘wonderful student’. The school community was said to have been ‘shocked and saddened’ by his death.
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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.
To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward