World of Formula 1 pays tribute to Bianchi as 25yo is laid to rest

The world of Formula One has paid tribute to Jules Bianchi as the young Frenchman was laid to rest today. Britain’s world champion Lewis Hamilton, his teammate Nico Rosberg and many, many current and former drivers attended the funeral service in Nice, Bianchi’s home town. They joined family, friends and fans to pay their respects to the 25-year-old Marussia driver, who died on Friday nine months after suffering catastrophic head injuries in an accident at the Japanese Grand Prix. Bianchi never regained consciousness after he hit a recovery vehicle head-on in the rain at the Suzuka circuit.

He could have been a future world champion.

Graeme Lowdon, Bianchi’s boss at Manor-Marussia

Bianchi’s coffin was carried into Sainte Reparate Cathedral shortly after 9am French time, while his helmet was also taken into the service. Two large portraits of the driver hung outside. As friends and family gathered inside the cathedral, the deputy mayor of Nice announced: “We have come together to say goodbye to a champion." On Monday evening, Mercedes driver Hamilton, who has just become an uncle, posted a tribute to Bianchi on his social media accounts. Alongside a picture of his baby niece, he wrote: "I’ve just got to meet my beautiful new niece Willow. She was born only hours after Jules passed away. I feel like God needed an angel & chose Jules, at the same time born a new angel to be one day.”

He was a tremendous young man, an extremely impressive racing driver, but more than that he was an exceptional human being as well, and very warm and compassionate, and that was felt by everyone he met.

Graeme Lowdon, Manor sporting director

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