Bianchi family and Formula 1 circus gather for silent tribute

Jules Bianchi’s parents and family arrived at the Hungaroring racing circuit on Sunday morning to attend a silent ceremony in his honour ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, the last race before Formula One’s European summer break.

The 25-year-old Frenchman died on July 17 from head injuries sustained when he crashed into a recovery vehicle in torrential rain at last October’s Japanese Grand Prix.

He was the first F1 driver to die as a result of a racing accident since three-time champion Brazilian Ayrton Senna at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola in 1994.

Bianchi was laid to rest in Nice on Tuesday and a minute’s silence is planned to take place 15 minutes before Sunday’s 70-lap race.

Bianchi's parents Philippe and Christine, and his brother Tom, were seen arriving at midday, both men wearing white polo shirts embroidered in red with "JB#17" in tribute.

The sport’s ruling body, the International Motoring Federation (FIA), announced this week that number 17, Bianchi’s racing number, was to be withdrawn in his memory.

Paddock insiders said that eight members of the Bianchi family were expected to attend, adding the sport’s ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone had provided a private plane to bring them from Nice to Budapest.

All the teams and their drivers have carried stickers and tributes on their cars and helmets carrying messages including ‘Ciao Jules’ and #JB17 this weekend.

His Marussia team chief Graeme Lowdon said Friday Bianchi was universally liked and his death had "touched an awful lot of people." He added the Bianchi family had behaved in "an incredible way in a situation that I really cannot comprehend."

In another tribute, Ferrari said: "People like him never really leave us. Jules was a driver with a kind smile, a guy who knew how to listen, not just talk about himself and he's still around.

"For example, he lives on in the memory of Sebastian Vettel, who recalls an occasion when they met at Suzuka, the circuit where the tragedy would unfold:

"'We were both running the track and you know how many climbs there are there. He was going like the wind, he was really in good shape.'

"In fact, it was his physical strength that allowed him to fight the impossible with all his remaining strength. Thus he was able to make the journey from Japan to his native France, so that at least his family could be close to him.

"'Jules nei nostri cuori' (Jules in our hearts) was the phrase we chose for him and for us to put on the Ferrari bodywork. Now we need speak no more, only remember."

source: AFP