The 17th of July 2016 marks the first anniversary of the death of Jules Bianchi, with the young and talented racing driver becoming Formula 1’s first fatality since the death of Ayrton Senna in 1994. On behalf of the Motorsport department here at Last Word On Sports, I would like to take a look back on the life of a truly talented racing driver, beautiful personality, and future champion.
Jules Bianchi: The Life of an Icon
Who was Jules Bianchi?
Jules Bianchi was a French Formula 1 driver, making his debut for the Marussia F1 Team in 2013. Jules had previously raced in other motor racing series such as Formula 3, Formula Renault, and the highly competitive GP2 series, gaining the attention of many, allowing him to become a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy. Jules secured title victories in 2007 and in 2009, becoming the champion in the French Formula Renault 2.0 series and the Formula 3 Euro Series.
Being the grandson of Mauro Bianchi (racing driver), Jules was born in Nice on August 3rd 1989 to Philippe and Christine Bianchi. Motorsport ran through his family, with Jules not only being the grandson of Mauro but also the grandnephew of Lucien Bianchi– Formula 1 racer and Le Mans winner.
Formula 1 Career
In November 2010, Jules Bianchi was confirmed as Ferrari’s test driver and reserve driver for the 2011 season, testing for the team at the young driver test held around Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit, with this performance making him the first recruit of the Ferrari Driver Academy. In 2012, Jules drove for Force India where he drove in nine practice sessions over the course of the season.
Jules Bianchi finally made his Formula 1 debut in 2013 for the Marussia F1 Team, partnering Max Chilton. In the 2013 season, by the Hungarian Grand Prix, Jules had successfully out qualified and outraced Chilton in every event that both drivers had finished. Bianchi finished the season in 19th place in the World Drivers Championship, finishing a season best 13th place at the Malaysian Grand Prix- the second race on the Formula 1 calendar.
In the 2014 season, Jules retained his seat at Marussia, again partnering Chilton for a second successive year. The 2014 season marked new levels for him and his team, with Jules securing a ninth place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix. Through this finish, Jules secured two championship points for Marussia, marking the team’s first points finish since entering the sport in 2010 as Virgin Racing. Not only was this a stepping stone for Marussia but the result also allowed them to beat rival teams Caterham and Sauber, and was probably integral for the survival of the team to race in the 2015 season and to continue racing in present day as Manor.
Despite earlier success, Jules’ racing career ended in the 2014 season, with the Japanese Grand Prix marking his final entry in Formula 1. On lap 43 of the race, Bianchi was involved in an accident in turn 7, colliding with a tractor that was out on track collecting the stricken Sauber of Adrian Sutil who had crashed one lap earlier. In this collision, Bianchi’s car faced extensive damage, with the roll bar being torn off and the engine block to be completely demolished. Spectator footage revealed that Bianchi’s car had slid under the tractor, with the tractor jolting upon impact with so much force that Sutil’s Sauber fell back to the floor after having been suspended in the air during its recovery. Later research carried out by the FIA found that Bianchi collided with the tractor at the speed of 76 mph.
After undergoing surgery and being placed in an induced coma, on the 17th July 2015, Jules Bianchi passed away from the injuries he sustained, becoming the first Formula 1 driver since Ayrton Senna in 1994 to succumb to injuries sustained in a Grand Prix.
Bianchi’s funeral was held on the 21st of July at Nice Cathedral, being attended by many driver figures including Alexander Wurz, Allan McNish, Alain Prost and Olivier Panis.
One Year On
Following the death of Jules, Bianchi’s father, Philippe, announced plans to create a foundation in the name of his son, discovering and developing young racing drivers throughout their careers. The scheme is supported my many notable figures, including Prince Albert of Monaco.
Safety is also being improved in Formula 1, with Bianchi’s death promoting the creation of the Virtual Safety Car– a period where drivers drive at a much slower pace in the event of an accident, preventing further accidents when a recovery vehicle of marshals are on track. The ‘Halo‘ device has also been developed, and will be implemented in 2017, with a cage-like piece of carbon fibre being placed in front and on top of the cockpit of a Formula 1 car in order to minimise the risk of drivers being hit by flying debris following an accident.
Rest in peace Jules. 1989-2015.
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