News Digest

Tributes pour in for F1 driver Bianchi, who dies at 25 from crash injuries

Tributes poured in from the world of Formula One for French driver Jules Bianchi, who died in the early hours of Saturday  after a long fight against horrendous injuries sustained in a head-on crash during the Japanese Grand Prix last October. The 25-year-old Bianchi died in a hospital in his home town of Nice, 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the track where he sealed the best performance of his young career: the Monaco Grand Prix. "Words cannot describe the enormous sadness within our team this morning, as we come to terms with losing Jules,“ said John Booth, team principal of the Manor Marussia team. "He has left an indelible mark on all our lives, and will forever be part of everything we have achieved, and everything we will strive for going forward.” Bianchi’s family said he “fought to the end”.

Yesterday we lost one of the best guys and best drivers I’ve ever met. I’ll miss you so much my friend.

Countryman and Lotus driver Romain Grosjean

Bianchi’s accident occurred at the end of the race at the Suzuka circuit. In rainy, gloomy conditions, Bianchi’s car slid off the track and ploughed into a crane picking up the Sauber of German driver Adrian Sutil, who had crashed out at the same spot one lap earlier. Bianchi is the first driver to die of injuries sustained in an F1 race since three-time world champion Ayrton Senna was killed at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Bianchi died at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire in Nice, where he had been since his emergency treatment in Japan in the days after the accident. Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne, who raced against Grosjean and Bianchi, said: “I have no words… We will miss you my old friend…” Alongside his tweet, Vergne added a photo of a fresh-faced Bianchi, the joy and optimism clear to see on his face.

Last night we lost a truly great guy and a real fighter. RIP Jules, my sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

Jenson Button, McLaren driver and former F1 world champion