Simonsen dies after Le Mans crash

Simonsen was competing in the GTE Am category in an Aston Martin when he crashed heavily at the Tertre Rouge corner after his car ran wide onto the trackside kerbing just nine minutes into the race.

The 34-year-old was immediately attended to by doctors and transferred to the circuit medical centre where he died soon after due to his injuries.

A statement issued by race organisers said the investigation was focusing on the possibility that the accident occurred "due to circumstances in the race".

Onboard footage from the car following immediately behind Simonsen at the time of the crash appears to show another GTE-class competitor going off the track in a separate incident just seconds earlier.

"Following the accident at 15h09 today, Saturday 22nd June 2013, which claimed the life of Allan Simonsen, driver of the No.95 Aston Martin, an investigation has been launched as is the case for every fatal accident on a public road," the statement read.

"This investigation is moving towards the fact that he went off track due to circumstances in the race.

"Allan Simonsen's body has been returned to his family.

"The Aston Martin Racing team has decided to continue with the participation of its other cars, at the request of the family, and in tribute to Allan Simonsen."

Simonsen was an experienced Le Mans campaigner and was racing for the seventh time at La Sarthe.

Only two days ago Simonsen, together with team-mates Christoffer Nygaard and Kristian Poulsen, was celebrating claiming pole position in the GTE Am class.

Simonsen's Aston Martin said in a statement: "It is with great shock and sadness that the Aston Martin Racing Team confirms that an accident occurred shortly after the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at around 15:09 hrs CET today (22 June) when the No 95 Vantage GTE driven by Allan Simonsen left the track at Tertre Rouge.

"Tragically, and despite the best efforts of the emergency services in attendance, Allan's injuries proved fatal."

Aston Martin Racing managing director John Gaw added: "On behalf of all of us at Aston Martin Racing, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the individuals, and families whose friends or loved ones were involved in today's terrible tragedy."

Jean Todt, the president of motor sport's world governing body the FIA, offered his condolences in a statement this evening.

Todt was a guest at La Sarthe today as part of the event's 90th anniversary celebrations, and said in a joint statement with ACO president Pierre Fillon: "We wish to express our profound sadness regarding the death of Allan Simonsen at today's 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"We would like to convey our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Allan's family and friends. Our thoughts are also with his Aston Martin teammates at this difficult time.

"Allan was an extremely talented and experienced sportscar driver who had raced in every corner of the world and was highly respected by his peers and his team. For many in endurance racing, Allan was above all a good friend who displayed his passion for racing on and off the track.

"His loss will be felt by the FIA, the ACO and the greater motorsport family."

Simonsen was the Danish Formula Ford champion in 1999 and went on to race in Formula Palmer Audi and the British Formula Renault Championship before carving out a career in sports cars.

He won the 2007 Australian GT Championship and took class honours in the 2009 Asian Le Mans Series.

A second-placed finish in the GT2 class in 2010 marked Simonsen's best result at Le Mans, while in 2008 he stepped up to contest the prototype LMP2 class at the famous endurance race.