Tag: Jules Bianchi

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Formula 1

Best wishes to Jules Bianchi

Jules Bianchi, Marussia, 2014 Japanese GP

Before we get to our race report from yesterday’s Japanese Grand Prix we want to pass on our thoughts and best wishes to Jules Bianchi, his family and friends, and all at the Marussia F1 Team.

As the rain began to increase towards the end of yesterday’s grand prix, Adrian Sutil crashed into a tyre barrier near turn 7. Under double-waved yellow flags a recovery vehicle was in operation to remove Sutil’s car. While this was happening Bianchi lost control of his car at the same corner, skidded across the run-off area and crashed into the recovery vehicle.

It soon became clear that the incident was serious, the Safety Car sent out and once the ambulance was on track to go to Bianchi’s aid the race was stopped.

Details of Bianchi’s condition are understandably light on detail but we do know that a “CT scan shows that he has suffered a severe head injury”. We also know he has emerged from surgery and there are reports suggesting the 25-year-old is able to breathe unassisted.

The full FIA statement on the Bianchi incident can be read below and further information can be found at the following sources:

Autosport | BBC | Motorsport.com | Reuters

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Ferrari Formula 1

Going ice cold on the Iceman

2014 British Grand Prix

The return of Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari has not gone well. In nine races the 2007 champ has qualified ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso only twice and and is yet to finish ahead of him on race day.

Kimi’s best result this year is P7, achieved in Australia and Spain. Alonso has finished sixth or better in all nine races to date. And while many are feeling for Kimi after his big crash in the British Grand Prix his lack lustre results haven’t escaped the eye of Darren Heath. It’s fair to say the F1 photographer has fallen out of love:

Sadly those days of daring-do on a Sunday afternoon followed by wild nights of well-deserved frivolity are long gone. The down-in-the-mouth look and the surly attitude are no longer cool, rather just tedious and old.

The Iceman legend may well be emblazoned on Räikkönen’s helmet and even tattooed large on his left forearm, but I’m afraid the winter is over for our chilly hero. A thaw has set in.

You can read Heath’s thoughts in full over at his blog.

Oh yeah, while Kimi is taking some time off to recover from his 47G impact, Jules Bianchi stepped into his car and set the fastest time in testing at Silverstone overnight.

While it can be folly to compare times from test sessions, Bianchi’s best lap of 1:35.262 was almost 1.3 seconds better than Kimi’s best across the British Grand Prix weekend and only 0.018s slower than Alonso’s quickest lap.

Jules to Ferrari in 2015 and Kimi to have his contract torn up? Stranger things than that have happened in F1 before.

[Pic: Ferrari]

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Formula 1

Formula 1’s lucky numbers

2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

As the new F1 season draws near we can start getting all excited about the numbers the drivers will choose in this new era of permanent numbers.

Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen wants number 7 apparently. But so does Jules Bianchi. A bitch fight to settle it perhaps?

Other numbers nominated to date include:

  • Fernando Alonso (14)
  • Valtteri Bottas (77)
  • Jenson Button (22)
  • Romain Grosjean (8)
  • Kevin Magnussen (20)
  • Felipe Massa (19)
  • Sergio Perez (11)
  • Nico Rosberg (6)
  • Jean-Eric Vergne (25)

It’s not known yet if Daniel Ricciardo has selected a preference. Do you think he will stick with the number 19 he raced with in 2013 or choose something new?

We wonder, if our Mark was still in F1 if he would choose number 2, just for a laugh?

[Source: Planet F1 | Pic: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]

Categories
Formula 1

Jules Bianchi gets late call up from Marussia

Jules Bianchi, Marussia F1 Team

Jules Bianchi’s disappointment at missing out on the last seat at Force India hasn’t lasted long with confirmation he will drive full-time for Marussia in 2013.

Marussia had, in theory, already locked away its two drivers for the year with young Briton Max Chilton to be joined by 23-year-old Brazilian Luis Razia. However, it’s being reported that Razia’s financial backers missed a payment forcing Marussia to cancel his contract.

Ferrari, who has supported Bianchi throughout his junior career, was keen to see the 23-year-old Frenchman secure a drive in 2013 and Bianchi’s management leapt into action when a chance at Marussia became available. Naturally, he’s pretty happy about the news, even though he doesn’t have much time to familiarise himself with the team before heading to Australia.

“Racing in Formula 1 this season has been my goal over the winter and after evaluating a number of options I am very excited to have this opportunity to demonstrate that I am ready for this next step in my racing career,” Bianchi said.

“I am also very grateful to the Ferrari Driver Academy that has always supported me and has given me the possibility to mature as a racing driver enabling me to be fully prepared for this new exciting challenge. The next two weeks of preparation for the season will be incredibly busy but I am ready to get started tomorrow with my first day in the MR02.”

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