Tragedy struck the Formula One motor racing community Sunday as Nathalie Maillet, the chief executive of Belgium's famous Spa-Francorchamps track, was shot and killed by her husband in an apparent double murder-suicide.
According to Belgian reports, Maillet was with her alleged mistress Ann Lawrence Durviaux at her home in the region of Gouvy when they were seen together in the bedroom by her husband, Franz Dubois. He then produced a gun, killing both women on the spot before taking his own life right after with the same weapon.
Maillet and alleged mistress killed after being caught together by husband
A local public prosecutor confirmed the gruesome incident, saying, "At 00:10, the bodies of two women and one man were discovered by the police in a house in Gouvy, all three presenting gunshot wounds."
Police could not confirm at the moment if infidelity was indeed the motive, but according to a report by DH Sport, Dubois had knowledge of Maillet's lesbian relationships, and the former race car driver's sexuality was an open secret.
Formula One released a statement afterward, saying that they are "deeply saddened by the news that their friend Nathalie Maillet has died." They sent their deepest condolences to Maillet's family and friends and said that the "motorsport community has lost an incredible person."
Maillet was one of the leading female figures in Formula One, becoming the general manager of Spa-Francorchamps in 2016 and overseeing the modernization of the circuit and race track which hosted its first Grand Prix event back in 1925. That fact wasn't lost on the FIA, F1's governing body, as they also paid tribute to Maillet's contributions to motorsport.
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Maillet a huge loss to the F1 community
Maillet, who first studied architecture at the University of London, had a late start when it came to motor racing, as she enrolled in racing school when she was already 33 years old. She didn't let that fact hinder her racing career as she captured her first Fun Cup in 2006 and finished runner-up in the Roadster Cup during that same year. Maillet competed in seven 25 Heures VW Fun cup races and managed to reach the podium five times.
We are devastated to learn of the passing of Nathalie Maillet.
— Females in Motorsport (@FemalesinMSport) August 15, 2021
Nathalie had held the position of director at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit since 2016.
Our thoughts extend to all those impacted. pic.twitter.com/bFAnAQ80Fr
Dubois, her husband, was also a well-known figure in motor racing as he was a team owner and a co-founder of the VW Fun Cup series. Dubois and Maillet were married for 17 years.
Maillet's death comes just two weeks before Formula One comes to her beloved Spa track for the Belgian Grand Prix. Melchior Wathelet, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, said they had lost a very great lady, motorsports lover, and a true leader who will be sorely missed.
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