Tributes pour in for Dan Wheldon

Dan Wheldon's friends from the racing world have been paying tribute to the British driver, who died in Sunday's IndyCar finale in Las Vegas.

Mark Webber has dedicated his column on the BBC Sport website to the man he met when they were both driving instructors at Brands Hatch in 1996/97.

Sky Sports also screened a special documentary - Dan Wheldon, A Tribute - on Sky Sports 2.

And Dallara – the Italian racing team – confirmed their 2012 IndyCar chassis will be named in his honour. Wheldon had conducted all the testing for the new car in the second half of the season.

Company chairman Gianpolo Dallara said: "Dan lives in the memory of everybody at Dallara. He has been a true champion; not only because of his many victories, but and above everything else, because he has been a true and warm man to all the people he encountered.

"All people at Dallara always enjoyed meeting him in Italy and in the USA. We will honor his memory for the years to come by dedicating the Dallara IndyCar 2012 in his name. He deserves that."

Dan Wheldon 1978-2011

The driving community have also been writing their own messages on Twitter since Sunday's news:

Lewis Hamilton, F1 driver
"He was an extremely talented driver. As a British guy, who not only went over to the States but who twice won the Indy 500, he was an inspirational guy, and someone that every racing driver looked up to with respect and admiration." 
@LewisHamilton

Jenson Button, F1 driver
"I have so many good memories of racing with Dan in the early 90's, a true afighter. We've lost a legend in our sport but also a great guy."
@JensonButton

Jake Humphrey, F1 commentator
"God bless Dan Wheldon, how terribly sad. Thoughts and love from the F1 community to his family and friends."
@jakehumphreyf1

Danica Patrick, IndyCar and NASCAR driver
"There are no words for today. Myself and so many others are devastated. I pray for Suzi and the kids that god will give them strength."
@DanicaPatrick

Mark Webber, F1 driver
"Rest in Peace Dan. I remember our early days in the UK. Miss ya.."
@AussieGrit

Paul Di Resta, F1 driver
"Very sad news that a great racer died. Rest in peace Dan. Thoughts are with your family."
@pauldirestaf1

James Hinchcliffe, IndyCar driver:
"It's a black day for the sport. We came in here hoping for a good season finale and ended up losing a close friend and a very good racing driver."
@Hinchtown

Dario Franchitti, former teammate:
"Everybody in IndyCar considered Dan a friend. You saw what the reaction was. Dan was one of those special, special people."
@dariofranchitti

Chip Ganassi, owner of Wheldon's former team:
"We're all going to miss him. A little bit of everybody in IndyCar racing died today."
@CGRTeams

Oriol Servia, IndyCar driver:
"Dan was always a very happy guy; he was always smiling. He was a funny, great person that touched a lot of people. He will be missed."
@OriolServia

Tommy Kendall, NASCAR driver:
"Struggling for words. A very bright light was extinguished today. As alive as a person can be one minute and gone the next."
@TommyKendall11

Sam Schmidt, owner of Wheldon's No. 77 Indy-car
"Dan was a tremendous competitor, a great racer and an even better person. It was an honour to have him be a part of our team."
@SSMIndy

Marco Andreti, IndyCar driver
"I looked up to you both as a racing driver and a person/friend. You will be forever missed. RIP Dan Wheldon.."
@MarcoAndretti

Ken Block, WRC driver
Just heard about the loss of both Dan Wheldon and fellow Monster Energy driver Rick Huseman. So very sad
@kblock43

David Croft, BBC F1 commentator
From Sebastian Vettel's joy to the dreadful news from Vegas a few hours later. RIP Dan Wheldon, what a racer you were, such a tragic loss
@CroftyF1

Martin Brundle, former F1 driver and BBC commentator
It's so so sad about Dan Wheldon. Deepest condolences to his wife and young children along with family and friends. This is a cruel sport.
@MBrundleF1

Rubens Barrichello, F1 driver
"Will always remember the great times we had at karting in Brazil, my friend. Rest in peace."
@rubarrichello

Alex Tagliani, IndyCar driver
"It's a very sad day. He was my little brother from another mother."
@atagliani