--- title: "The World Reacts to Ken Block’s Death" description: "From F1 champions to music artists and company executives, everyone is mourning the famed No. 43—Ken Block's racing number of choice." date: "2023-01-03" modified: "2023-01-03" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-world-reacts-to-ken-blocks-death" categories: - "Culture" - "News" - "People" --- # The World Reacts to Ken Block’s Death ![]() *\Getty \* Ken Block's [death came as a shock]() to us all Monday night. Like other world-class athletes—[Nicky Hayden](), [Michael Schumacher](), [Alex Zanardi](), and more—it was a freak, off-track accident that finally caught up to the drifting daredevil. Block was way more than an athlete, too; he was a cultural icon. Block didn't just impact car culture but also created an entirely different sector, one covered in tire smoke, shredded rubber, and Monster logos. And as the lead man behind blockbuster [Gymkhana YouTube videos](), he branched out of the racing community into the filming, marketing, and media sectors like no one had ever done before. Block didn't just influence racing and racing fans—he influenced an entire generation of humans. As a result, the world is mourning No. 43 today. Reactions have come pouring in from Formula 1 champions, film producers, and [company CEOs]() with everyone paying their respects to Block. Of course, the many friends and colleagues he made throughout his career have also taken to social media to share their disbelief, but also the legions of fans who never had the chance to meet Block, yet felt close to him due to his approachable, down-to-earth attitude. ![]() *Getty* Here's how the world is reacting to Ken Block's death today. ## Jim Farley, Ford CEO https://twitter.com/jimfarley98/status/1610125336183771137 ## T-Pain, Recording Artist https://twitter.com/TPAIN/status/1610099960963338243 ## James May, TV Personality https://twitter.com/MrJamesMay/status/1610139513103196160?s=20&t=zH3oJ79PHPbo9aK8LTE16Q ## Jenson Button, F1 Champion https://twitter.com/JensonButton/status/1610132274472972288?s=20&t=zH3oJ79PHPbo9aK8LTE16Q ## Graham Rahal, IndyCar Racing Driver https://twitter.com/GrahamRahal/status/1610101035670077440?s=20&t=zH3oJ79PHPbo9aK8LTE16Q ## Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President https://twitter.com/Ben_Sulayem/status/1610207430025089026?s=20&t=VjV3nK3MjlBncv9U8ujMUw ## Tom Kristensen, Le Mans Champion https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8tLNyo9o3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link ## Scott Dixon, Indy 500 Winner https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8RNs3rrpI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link ## Ralph Gilles, Stellantis Global President Product Design https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm9ClLcrUaN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link ## Lewis Hamilton, F1 Champion ![]() ![]() ## Larry Chen, Motorsports Photographer https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8VCenJbTL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link ## Tanner Foust, Racing Driver https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8D42QrcQf/ ## Alexander Rossi, Indy 500 Champion https://twitter.com/AlexanderRossi/status/1610110214547857408?s=20&t=Qrmp-J_Lk0pGYtzPrWq9ng ## Helio Castroneves, Four-Time Indy 500 Champion https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm9UE_TOUbo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link ## Scott Speed, Racing Driver https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm9EpQruatD/ *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()