---
title: "Jules Bianchi: 1989-2015"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2015/07/18/jules-bianchi-1989-2015/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chris Barrass"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2015-07-18T09:49:19Z"
modified: "2015-07-18T09:49:19Z"
---

# Jules Bianchi: 1989-2015

It is with great sadness that the Formula 1 world wakes up to the news that Jules Bianchi has died from the injuries he sustained at last year’s Japanese Grand Prix.

The family of the 25 year old Frenchman, who raced with Marussia for 34 Grands Prix, released a statement confirming the news we all hoped would never come.

“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.”

The family went on to add “We thank Jules’ colleagues, friends, fans and everyone who has demonstrated their affection for him over these past months, which has given 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.”

The Bianchi family also thanked the medical staff at both the Nice CHU hospital and the General Medical Centre in Japan, where Jules was taken in the aftermath of his accident.

The treacherous conditions at Suzuka in the Japanese Grand Prix led to Adrian Sutil spinning off at the Dunlop curve. A recovery vehicle was despatched to clear his Sauber out of the way, but on the following lap Jules aquaplaned in exactly the same place, sliding into the crane and his Marussia car became lodged beneath it.

The race was abandoned and Jules was taken by a police escorted ambulance to the General Medical Centre in Yokkaichi, where he was diagnosed with a Diffuse Axonal injury. Emergency surgery led to Jules being placed in an artificial coma, and needing life support.

A move to his homeland and the Nice CHU followed, with a family updated saying that he was out of the artificial coma – albeit in a natural one – and breathing unaided.

Updates on his condition were released, but no progress was made.

Jules began racing Go Karts when he was just three and a half years old, progressing to car racing in 2007 when he won the 2007 French Formula Renault 2.0 series. After winning the 2009 Euro F3 series, Bianchi was promoted to a GP2 seat. He finished third in the 2010 and 2011 championships, before finishing runner up in the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 series.

As a member of Ferrari’s young driver programme, Jules was given numerous test days with the Scuderia. He made his F1 début at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix, driving in FP1 for Force India after the Scuderia loaned him to the Silverstone based team.

A further eight practice sessions beckoned, before Bianchi was given a full time drive at Marussia as part of their Ferrari engine deal.

The highlight of his career came at the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix, where an aggressive, battling drive saw him finish in ninth place. Marussia took their first ever points. Jules took his only points.

There was a possibility of Jules joining Ferrari for next year in place of Kimi Raikkonen, and he would almost certainly have won a world championship or two.

Instead, the motorsport world must now mourn the first F1 driver fatality since Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna lost their lives at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

I’m sure I speak for the entire motorsport world when I send my condolences to the Bianchi family. Rest in peace Jules.

*Images Courtesy of Manor F1 Team*