Jules was looking to follow in his family tradition until events from nine months ago would end his life at the age of 25. “The pain we feel is enormous and indescribable”.
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In light of this, the FIA thought it appropriate to retire Bianchi’s number for good.
Ciao, Jules. Be at peace.
The team’s last race was the Russian Grand Prix and Cheglakov said he kept it going until then so it was not “unfair to my country”.
“The world of motor sport is in mourning today”, motorsports’ governing body said in a statement.
He competed in 34 races for Manor-Marussia after making his debut for the British-based team at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in 2013.
His family praised medical staff in Nice and Mie Prefecture for their care over the last nine months and asked for privacy as they sought to come to terms with the loss. His entrance wheels had additionally locked.
Pictures of Bianchi’s official F1 portrait were hung up either side of the cathedral entrance, while dozens of colourful floral tributes adorned the funeral vehicle. “We had the pleasure of working with Jules during 2012 and he left a strong impression on everyone in the team”, Mallya said in a statement.
Most importantly, though, Bianchi had done enough to catch the eye of Ferrari, becoming the first to sign up to their driver academy.
Former team-mate and F1 driver Max Chilton: “No words can describe what his family & the sport have lost”. Most of the drivers hated the assignment, and made sure I knew it. Jules, on the other hand, enjoyed the ridiculousness of being papped at close quarters with a mobile in an environment heaving with professional photographers and long lenses, and really got into the spirit of things.
“We lost a great guy, and we will remember him with great affection”.
Jules Bianchi ploughed into the tractor, which had been sent to recover Sutil’s auto, at 80mph and suffered a diffuse axonal injury. Bianchi completed a number of FP1 outings for Force India in 2012 and was in the frame for a full-time drive in 2013.
In 2006, Bianchi became French karting champion, before graduating to drive in the Formula Renault 3.5 series and the GP2 series.
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Raikkonen returned to the Italian team for the 2014 season on a two-year contract that expires at the end of this year.
