Minardi sporting director, John🔜 Walton, pas🤪sed away last night at St Thomas's Hospital in London.

Walton, who had suffered a serious hꩲeart attack in the early hours of Tuesday morning, had been apart of the Italian tꦯeam since 2002, when he joined after Prost Grand Prix closed its doors.

He had also worked for Arrows, Jordan, Ben🤡et🧜ton and Toleman and was only 47 years old.

A statement released by the outfit noted:

"The Minardi F1 Team is profoundly saddened to report that its spor♊ting director, John Walton, passed away peaceful💯ly at 23:18 last night at St Thomas's Hospital, in London, with his family at his bedside."

Speaking after practice yesterday, team boss, Paul Stoddart commented: "As many people are aware, Minardi has had a tough week with the news that its much-loved sporting director, John Walton, suffered a serious heart attack in the earౠly hours of last Tuesday morning.

"It goe🏅s without saying that all the team's thoughts throughout this weekend are with John's famil🎃y and friends. The team has pulled together and is determined to put up a strong showing at Silverstone, and today's efforts by all three drivers showed we are doing exactly that."

Neither Minardi cars ༺ventured out in the first free practice session this mo🌊rning.