Justin Wilson: Hundreds gather for funeral of popular IndyCar driver

37-year-old leaves behind a wife and two daughters

The coffin of Justin Wilson is carried Mark Webber (back left) and Dario Franchitti (right) after his funeral at St James the Great Church in Paulerspury

Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of IndyCar racing driver Justin Wilson in Northamptonshire on Thursday.

Mr Wilson, from Yorkshire, died from his injuries on 24 August after he was struck on the head by a piece of debris following a crash at the Pocono Raceway, in Pennsylvania, the previous day.

More than 500 people, including former Formula One driver Mark Webber who acted as a pallbearer and ex-driver Sir Jackie Stewart, attended the 37-year-old’s funeral at Saint James The Great Church, Paulersby.

A message from Justin Wilson's daughter Jane at his funeral at St James the Great Church in Paulerspury (PA)

The married father-of-two donated his organs, helping to save six people’s lives.

His wife, Julia, read a poem entitled ‘Today I Washed You Away’ to mourners. “It is not fair you had such a short life,” the Daily Mail reported her saying.

Ex-Forumla One driver Jonathan Palmer delivered the eulogy. “Justin died doing something he loved. He wasn't in denial about the risks,” he told the hundreds who had gathered.

Over the week the Formula 1 community paid tribute to the Sheffield-born racer - who held the record as the tallest driver in F1 - holding a minute’s silence at the Italian Grand Prix. Many drivers also wore stickers on their crash helmet in tribute to Mr Wilson.

The coffin of Justin Wilson sits in the hearse after his funeral at St James the Great Church in Paulerspury (PA)

He is due to be cremated at a private ceremony before a service at Silverstone later today.