Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Formula One Driver Jules Bianchi Funeral

Jules Bianchi funeral takes place as Lewis Hamilton joins mourners for tragic Formula One driver who died nine months after horror crash at Japanese Grand Prix

  • Jules Bianchi crashed into a crane during the F1 Japanese Grand Prix in 2014 and suffered huge head injuries
  • The 25-year-old Marussia driver sadly passed away nine months after the crash in a dark day for Formula One
  • Statement from Bianchi family: 'Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end'
  • Father, Philippe recently admitted it was 'daily torture' for his family after Jules showed little progress while in coma
Lewis Hamilton was among mourners this morning as Formula One stars joined relatives of driver Jules Bianchi at his funeral.
Bianchi died on Friday, nine months after a horrific crash at the Japanese Grand Prix which left him in a coma.
Hamilton, wearing dark glasses and a black suit, was joined by fellow drivers Nico Rosberg, Jenson Button and Romain Grosjean, who was with his wife Marion Jolles at the Sainte Reparate Cathedral service in 25-year-old Bianchi's home city of Nice, France.
Bianchi's father Philippe was pictured weeping outside the city's cathedral as mourners including FIA president Jean Todt and former F1 star Alain Prost arrived.
Freiends, Family and Formula One drivers pay their final respects to Jules Bianchi following his funeral service in Nice on Tuesday
Freiends, Family and Formula One drivers pay their final respects to Jules Bianchi following his funeral service in Nice on Tuesday
Bianchi, who died on Friday, is remembered by mourners in Nice on Tuesday following his funeral at the Sainte Reparate Cathedral
Bianchi, who died on Friday, is remembered by mourners in Nice on Tuesday following his funeral at the Sainte Reparate Cathedral
Formula One drivers Jean-Eric Vergne (fourth right) and Felipe Massa (centre) pay their wishes to Bianchi alongside other mourners
Formula One drivers Jean-Eric Vergne (fourth right) and Felipe Massa (centre) pay their wishes to Bianchi alongside other mourners
A mourner carries the helmet of Bianchi at the French driver's funeral as hundreds gather to pay their respects in Nice on Tuesday
A mourner carries the helmet of Bianchi at the French driver's funeral as hundreds gather to pay their respects in Nice on Tuesday
Brazilian Massa pays his final respects to Bianchi following Tuesday's funeral ceremony at the Cathedrale Sainte Reparate in Nice
Brazilian Massa pays his final respects to Bianchi following Tuesday's funeral ceremony at the Cathedrale Sainte Reparate in Nice
The family of French  Bianchi stand near his casket as they pay their respects at his funeral in Nice on Tuesday following his death
The family of French Bianchi stand near his casket as they pay their respects at his funeral in Nice on Tuesday following his death
Sebastian Vettel (left) and Grosjean (right) join pallbearers carrying Bianchi's coffin during his funeral at the Cathedral of Sainte Reparate
Sebastian Vettel (left) and Grosjean (right) join pallbearers carrying Bianchi's coffin during his funeral at the Cathedral of Sainte Reparate
Formula One driver Jean Eric Vergne
Formula One driver Jean Eric Vergne
Mourners leave flowers to r
Mourners leave flowers to r
Pallbearers carried Bianchi's coffin into the cathedral, while his race helmet was also taken into the service and two large portraits of the Frenchman hung outside. Solemn applause resonated and church bells also sounded during the funeral

Last Friday, Bianchi became the first driver to die of injuries sustained in a Formula One race since three-time world champion Ayrton Senna was killed at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
Bianchi had been in a coma since October 2014 after suffering a diffuse axonal injury following a collision with a crane on the side of the circuit. He had been receiving treatment at a hospital in Nice but his family announced his passing in the early hours of Saturday morning. 
Former Austrian Formula One racing driver Alexander Wurz pays his respects
Former Austrian Formula One racing driver Alexander Wurz pays his respects
Hamilton pays his respects at the Cathedral in Nice
Hamilton pays his respects at the Cathedral in Nice
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Bianchi into the Sainte Reparate Cathedral as friends and family gather for his funeral in Nice
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Bianchi into the Sainte Reparate Cathedral as friends and family gather for his funeral in Nice
An emotional Philippe Bianchi, the father of Jules, is comforted by  prior to the funeral of his son who died last Friday in hospital
An emotional Philippe Bianchi, the father of Jules, is comforted by prior to the funeral of his son who died last Friday in hospital
Mercedes star and Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton arrives at Bianchi's funeral to pay his respects on Tuesday morning
Mercedes star and Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton arrives at Bianchi's funeral to pay his respects on Tuesday morning
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg arrives at the Sainte Reparate Cathedral to attend the funeral
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg arrives at the Sainte Reparate Cathedral to attend the funeral
Formula One driver Jenson Button leads the tributes after the funeral as they have a drink for Bianchi following his death on Friday
Formula One driver Jenson Button leads the tributes after the funeral as they have a drink for Bianchi following his death on Friday
Button and fellow friends and family of Bianchi remember him with a drink following his funeral service in Nice on Tuesday
Button and fellow friends and family of Bianchi remember him with a drink following his funeral service in Nice on Tuesday
A statement read: 'It is with deep sadness that the parents of Jules Bianchi, Philippe and Christine, his brother Tom and sister Melanie, wish to make it known that Jules passed away last night at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) in Nice, (France) where he was admitted following the accident of 5th October 2014 at Suzuka Circuit during the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix.
'Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end. The pain we feel is immense and indescribable. We wish to thank the medical staff at Nice's CHU who looked after him with love and dedication. 
'We also thank the staff of the General Medical Center in the Mie Prefecture (Japan) who looked after Jules immediately after the accident, as well as all the other doctors who have been involved with his care over the past months.
Four-time Formula One champion Alain Prost arrives  to pay his respects to Bianchi
Four-time Formula One champion Alain Prost arrives to pay his respects to Bianchi
Lotus driver Romain Grosjean raced against Bianchi during the 2014 season and was in attendance in Nice with his wife Marion Jolles
Lotus driver Romain Grosjean raced against Bianchi during the 2014 season and was in attendance in Nice with his wife Marion Jolles
Heartbreaking scenes from the funeral of Jules Bianchi
'Furthermore, we thank Jules' colleagues, friends, fans and everyone who has demonstrated their affection for him over these past months, which gave us great strength and helped us deal with such difficult times. Listening to and reading the many messages made us realise just how much Jules had touched the hearts and minds of so many people all over the world.
'We would like to ask that our privacy is respected during this difficult time, while we try to come to terms with the loss of Jules.' 
Manor Marussia tweeted: 'We are devastated to lose Jules after such a hard-fought battle. It was a privilege to have him race for our team.'
Bianchi, 25, passed away nine months after crashing heavily into a crane during the 2014 Formula One Japanese Grand Prix
Bianchi, 25, passed away nine months after crashing heavily into a crane during the 2014 Formula One Japanese Grand Prix
Bianchi is pictured driving around the circuit in wet conditions during the Japanese  Grand Prix on October 5 - the day of the crash
Bianchi is pictured driving around the circuit in wet conditions during the Japanese Grand Prix on October 5 - the day of the crash
Marussia driver Bianchi suffered a diffuse axonal injury following the collision with a crane by the Suzuka Circuit
Marussia driver Bianchi suffered a diffuse axonal injury following the collision with a crane by the Suzuka Circuit
Bianchi received medical treatment after crashing into a crane by the side of the circuit in wet conditions during the Japanese Grand Prix 
Bianchi received medical treatment after crashing into a crane by the side of the circuit in wet conditions during the Japanese Grand Prix 
On Monday, accompanying a picture with his newly-born niece, Hamilton wrote: 'I've just got to meet my beautiful new niece Willow. 
'She was born only hours after Jules passed away. I feel like God needed an angel & chose Jules, at the same time born a new angel to be one day.
'I pray that she gets to see the wonders of the world, as an uncle I will try to protect her from the bad & help guide her through the good.'
On Monday Hamilton wrote: 'I've just got to meet my beautiful new niece Willow. She was born only hours after Jules passed away. I feel like God needed an angel & chose Jules'
On Monday Hamilton wrote: 'I've just got to meet my beautiful new niece Willow. She was born only hours after Jules passed away. I feel like God needed an angel & chose Jules'
Earlier in the week Bianchi's father revealed the suffering his family had been under as they waited for their son to show signs of improvement.
'It's unbearable, it is a daily torture,' Philippe told France Info. 'It sometimes seems crazy because for me, it is certainly worse than if he had died in the accident. Because we don't have the power to help him more.
'In general, progress must be made in the first six months and it has been nine months and Jules is still not awake and there is no significant progress. 
Jules Bianchi's girlfriend Camille Marchetti, 24, has not yet commented on his death and she led the prayers for the race ace's recovery
Jules Bianchi's girlfriend Camille Marchetti, 24, has not yet commented on his death and she led the prayers for the race ace's recovery
'The passing time, it makes me less optimistic than I was two or three months after the accident, when we were hoping for a better outcome.' 
The young driver competed in 34 races during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, scoring the first ever championship points for the Manor-Marussia team by finishing ninth at last year's Monaco Grand Prix.
It was announced on Monday that the FIA would permanently retire the No 17 that Bianchi used. It is also expected that the grid will observe a one-minute silence ahead of Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring.
Bianchi pictured during a press conference at the Belgian Grand Prix in August 2014, two months before his fatal crash
Bianchi pictured during a press conference at the Belgian Grand Prix in August 2014, two months before his fatal crash
Bianchi of Marussia pictured during the Japanese Grand Prix before his horrific crash into a crane at the Suzuka circuit in October 2014
Bianchi of Marussia pictured during the Japanese Grand Prix before his horrific crash into a crane at the Suzuka circuit in October 2014
In 2013, the Frenchman made his debut for Marussia – finishing 15th at the Australian Grand Prix. He failed to win a point that season but managed a 13th-place finish at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Bianchi scored his and Marussia's first points in F1 at the Monaco Grand Prix the next season when he finished ninth, and he impressed so much that he was tipped as a future Ferrari driver.
Bianchi's fateful accident happened when he lost control of his car during wet conditions at the Suzuka circuit and collided with a tractor crane that was removing Adrian Sutil's Sauber which had crashed a lap earlier.
Bianchi was taken away by ambulance after crashing and spent time in hospital in Japan before being moved back home to France
Bianchi was taken away by ambulance after crashing and spent time in hospital in Japan before being moved back home to France
After the crash his girlfriend Marchetti posted this photo and wrote online: 'You are my champion! You are the strongest'
After the crash his girlfriend Marchetti posted this photo and wrote online: 'You are my champion! You are the strongest'
Marchetti was often seen cheering Bianchi on from the pits as he raced around the world for the Marussia Formula One Team
Marchetti was often seen cheering Bianchi on from the pits as he raced around the world for the Marussia Formula One Team
F1 driver Jules Bianchi dies from crash injures aged 25
Manor Marussia tweeted their condolences after hearing the sad news after their driver Bianchi
Manor Marussia tweeted their condolences after hearing the sad news after their driver Bianchi
The race was red flagged and ended nine laps early as medics attended to Bianchi, who was later taken to hospital and underwent surgery on a severe head injury. He remained in hospital in Japan before later being moved to France but failed to show any improvement in his condition. 
Following Bianchi's accident, F1 chiefs launched an investigation and shifted the start times of five Grands Prix for this season so that no race would start with a risk of running in bad light.
The times for Australia (now 4pm), Malaysia (3pm), China (2pm), Japan (2pm) and Russia (2pm) are all one hour earlier than they were in 2014. 
Bianchi lost his battle in hospital in Nice last Friday after months of fighting following last October's horror crash at the Japanese GP
Bianchi lost his battle in hospital in Nice last Friday after months of fighting following last October's horror crash at the Japanese GP
Bianchi entered F1 as a test driver for Ferrari in 2011 before joining Force India and then the Frenchman made his Marussia debut in 2013
Bianchi entered F1 as a test driver for Ferrari in 2011 before joining Force India and then the Frenchman made his Marussia debut in 2013

JULES BIANCHI: THE PROMISING YOUNG DRIVER FROM A RACING DYNASTY

Jules Bianchi was born on 3 August 1989 in Nice, France and made his  Formula One debut in 2013, driving for Marussia alongside Max Chilton.
The unmarried Frenchman has previously raced in Formula Renault 3.5, the GP2 Series and Formula Three.
The 25-year-old entered Formula One as a test driver in 2011 at Ferrari, and for Force India the following season. 
Bianchi is the grandson of Mauro Bianchi, three-times World Champion in the GT category. 
He is also the grandnephew of Lucien Bianchi who won the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans and competed in nineteen Grands Prix in the Formula One World Championship between 1959 and 1968, with a podium finish in Monaco
Since 2013, Bianchi has been a race driver with the Marussia Formula One Team.
He has been tipped as a future prospect for Ferrari's main team, and has consistently finshed ahead of teammate Max Chilton.
He failed to finish the Grand Prix in Japan in 2013 after crashing out of the Suzuka race circuit just yards from the spot of his accident in October.
 
1989: August 3, born in Nice.
2007: Moves into French Formula Renault 2.0 after starting his racing career in karting - winning five races to take the championship. Also races in the Formula Renault Eurocup on three occasions.
2008: Makes the move to the Formula Three Euro Series after signing with ART Grand Prix and finishes third in the standings in maiden year. Also wins the Masters of Formula Three in Holland, where he races against fellow Formula One drivers Nico Hulkenberg, Daniel Ricciardo and Marussia team-mate Max Chilton.
2009: Stays with the ART team and, with team-mates including Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Gutierrez, secures championship with nine wins.
2010: Steps up to GP2, competing in GP2 Asia and the GP2 Series with the ART Grand Prix team. Involved in the fight for the Asian championship before suffering a broken vertebra at a race in Hungary.
2011: Links up again with Gutierrez at ART and finishes second in the GP2 Asia Series behind Romain Grosjean. Also fills the role of test and reserve driver with Ferrari's Formula One team.
2012: Loaned by Ferrari to Force India, where he again acts as reserve driver, taking part in nine practice sessions while racing in Formula Renault 3.5.
2013: Earns a race seat with the Marussia Formula One team, with a 13th-placed finish in Malaysia his best result of the season.
2014: Retained by Marussia and scores both his and the team's first points in Formula One when he finishes eighth in Monaco. Linked with a possible move to Ferrari but the deal to take four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel from Red Bull scuppers any move. 

THE STATEMENT FROM THE BIANCHI FAMILY 

It is with deep sadness that the parents of Jules Bianchi, Philippe and Christine, his brother Tom and sister Mélanie, wish to make it known that Jules passed away last night at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) in Nice, (France) where he was admitted following the accident of 5th October 2014 at Suzuka Circuit during the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix.
'Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end,' said the Bianchi family. 'The pain we feel is immense and indescribable. We wish to thank the medical staff at Nice's CHU who looked after him with love and dedication. We also thank the staff of the General Medical Center in the Mie Prefecture (Japan) who looked after Jules immediately after the accident, as well as all the other doctors who have been involved with his care over the past months.
'Furthermore, we thank Jules' colleagues, friends, fans and everyone who has demonstrated their affection for him over these past months, which gave us great strength and helped us deal with such difficult times. Listening to and reading the many messages made us realise just how much Jules had touched the hearts and minds of so many people all over the world.
'We would like to ask that our privacy is respected during this difficult time, while we try to come to terms with the loss of Jules.'

STATEMENT FROM JOHN BOOTH, TEAM PRINCIPAL FOR MARUSSIA F1

'Words cannot describe the enormous sadness within our team this morning, as we come to terms with losing Jules. He has left an indelible mark on all our lives, and will forever be part of everything we have achieved, and everything we will strive for going forward.
'Jules was a shining talent. He was destined for great things in our sport; success he so richly deserved. He was also a magnificent human being, making a lasting impression on countless people all over the world. They recognised, as did we, that at the same time as being a fiercely motivated racer, he was also an extremely warm, humble and intensely likeable person, who lit up our garage and our lives.
'We are incredibly grateful that we were able to provide Jules with the opportunity to show the world what he could do in a Formula 1 car. We knew we had a very special driver on our hands from the first time he drove our car in pre-season testing in 2013. It has been an honour to be able to consider him our race driver, our team-mate, and of course our friend.
'Our thoughts and prayers are with the wonderful Bianchi family, who have remained so strong for Jules throughout the past nine months. In turn, Jules was an absolute credit to them.
'Finally, we would like to thank everyone who has supported Jules since his accident in Japan last October. Your kindness has been such a source of comfort to his family and to us, his team. We will rely on your continued support over the coming days and months as we race on for Jules.'

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