The pair shared the Marussia garage from the start of the 2013 Formula 1 season through to the fateful weekend at Japan in 2014, with Chilton going on to drive a single vehicle in what would be the team’s final race at the following round in Russian Federation.
Advertisement
Bianchi passed away after succumbing to injuries sustained at Suzuka on 5 October 2014.
“The best drivers just have something about their job and he was very impressive in everything he did”.
Bianchi’s funeral will take place ahead of next week’s Hungarian Grand Prix where the sport will gather in the Budapest paddock under a cloud.
Max Chilton broke through to claim his first Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires victory on July 18 at Iowa Speedway following a thrilling duel with Carlin teammate and fellow Englishman Ed Jones. “Occasionally I would ideal it and he wouldn’t like it and he would find a way of being quicker and by doing that for two years, I’ve learned a great deal from him and I think that carried on in the race today”.
“He was a driver destined to probably be a world champion, if not definitely”, said Chilton of Bianchi.
“It’s been a difficult nine months, to be brutally honest with you, ” he added. “He’d have driven the perfect race, as always”.
After taking pole position, Chilton had also dedicated his success to his former team-mate. They competed together in karting before they were both handed their chance by Marussia.
Advertisement
He acknowledged that thoughts of his former team-mate had spurred him on.
