Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel has expressed his sadness following the death of a track marshall at the Canadian Grand Prix.

The race was marred by the death of the worker, who was hit by a crane trying to remove Esteban Gutierrez's Sauber in the closing stages of the Grand Prix.

The man, who is said to have tried to retrieve his dropped radio, died at the Sacre-Coeur hospital in Montreal after arriving there by helicopter.

"It is very, very sad to hear that a marshall tragically lost his life in Canada," Vettel wrote on his official website.

"The work of marshalls is not always seen, but it is vital to our sport and without their commitment, time and dedication, there would be no motorsport.

"I am very, very sad to hear this news and my thoughts are with his family and friends."

Meanwhile, Vettel has extended his lead at the top of the drivers' championship to 37 points with his victory in Canada.