Yesterday it was publicly announced that Jules Bianchi died friday of the severe head injuries he sustained 9 months ago at the Japanese Grand Prix in October 2014.
Deadly passion
"If I don't become a world champion, I'd be happy even if I died trying." - Jules Bianchi
Although since 1994 until yesterday no Formula 1 driver had to die any more, each one very well knows the risks of racing. Jules Bianchi obviously did know but always followed his heart and passion. He was only 25 years old.
Since the deaths of Ratzenberger and Senna 1994 Jules Bianchi sadly and tragically is the first driver who died because of an accident at a Grand Prix after 21 years.
My condolence belongs to the family which never gave up on Jules Bianchi. He will be remembered as the passionate driver he was, will be missed as the person he had become and missed as the member of his family.
Update (2015-07-20)
In Jules Bianchi’s honor the FIA decided that car number 17 will no longer be used. In 2014 Jules Bianchi selected number 17 as his own car number. Normally numbers would be reused when a driver quits driving. But in memory of Jules Bianchi who passed away last week this will be not true for number 17 any more.
Further reading
- Jules Bianchi, French Formula One Driver, Dies Months After Crash / nytimes.com (EN)
- Familie von Jules Bianchi: "Sein Kampf ist beendet" / motorsport-total.com (DE)
- Jules Bianchi: Trauerfeier am Dienstag / motorsport-total.com (DE)
- Jules Bianchi erliegt Hirnverletzungen / motorsport-total.com (DE)
- Zu Ehren Bianchis: FIA vergibt Startnummer 17 nicht mehr / formel1.de (DE)
- Jules Bianchi / wikipedia.org (EN / DE)