Formula One Driver Dies From Crash Injuries

The passing of Jules marks the second time that one of his family members has died in a crash.

For the first time since the death of three-times champion Ayrton Senna on May 1, 1994, F1 is mourning the loss of a driver to have succumbed to his injuries sustained during a grand prix event.

The death of Bianchi reminds of the one of Francois Cevert, who was killed during trials at Watkins Glen in 1973, aged 29.

Bianchi, who had suffered a diffuse axonal injury, died in hospital near his parents’ home in Nice in the south of France. We wish to thank the medical staff at Nice’s CHU who looked after him with love and dedication.

The findings of the working group prompted F1 to alter its rules, allowing a ‘virtual safety vehicle in which race stewards can neutralize a race, forcing all cars to proceed slowly into the pit lane.

Jules started racing karts in 1999 at the age of 10, winning several domestic and European titles in what was a very successful career.

His great uncle Lucien Bianchi raced in 17 GP races and competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race.

A year on from his greatest achievement, Bianchi’s father gave an interview warning that hope was fading.

This will go down as Bianchi’s legacy, but the Frenchman’s tragic accident also refocused a sport that was in danger of drifting into complacency after so many years without a fatality – unlike America’s Nascar and IndyCar series, in which racing mishaps have been a little too common in recent years. Philippe and Christine would travel to his bedside every day, often with Tom and Melanie, his brother and sister.

“It was so sad to hear the news about Jules”, said the 84-year-old.

“Even though the news is not surprising and we knew the outcome was, unfortunately, likely to be negative, it hurts a lot”. However numerous official statements released have been quick to focus on the successes in his life rather than the sadness.

The Manor team tweeted: “We are devastated to lose Jules after such a hard-fought battle. It has been an honor to be able to consider him our race driver, our team-mate, and of course our friend”.

Button, the 2009 world champion, wrote: “Last night we lost a truly great guy and a real fighter #RIPJules my sincerest Condolences to his family and friends”. His team, Marussia, now known as Manor F1, said it was “shocked and angered” by the report.

The world of motorsport has been paying tribute to Bianchi.

The family of Jules Bianchi confirmed Friday that the 25-year-old Formula 1 driver died from his injuries sustained last October in a horrific crash during the Japanese Grand Prix.

“Jules Bianchi may he rest in peace. My thoughts are with the family”.

“If he had severe disabilities we are convinced this is not at all what Jules wanted”, said Philippe.

Other top F1 drivers have joined in expressing their condolences to Bianchi and his family.

“So much work has been done in terms of security on the tracks and on the cars that we couldn’t imagine this happening again”, Alesi said.