Jules Bianchi

2022 - 7 - 18

Post cover — Image courtesy of "GPblog.com"

Seven years ago today: Jules Bianchi passed away (GPblog.com)

It is exactly seven years since Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi died as a result of a serious accident that occurred during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

As Bianchi was the first Formula One driver to die after an accident since the death of Ayrton Senna, the FIA formed a special research group. The titanium brace above the cockpit (shaped like a flip flop) was to protect the riders from flying debris during and after a crash. He was the first driver, since Ayrton Senna in 1994, to die as a result of an accident in the sport. In 2009, Bianchi tested for the Ferrari team at the Jerez circuit in Spain. In the years that followed, the Frenchman was in the picture for a long time at the Force India team, where he became a test driver. He was one of the most promising drivers of his generation and it was expected that Bianchi would eventually join the Ferrari team. The crash was so severe that Bianchi suffered serious brain damage and ended up in a coma.

Charles Leclerc Receives the 'Best Compliment' as Jules Bianchi ... (EssentiallySports)

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc remembers godfather Jules Bianchi on his 7th death anniversary today after he lost his life in 2015.

Hopefully, Leclerc can continue in his career and achieve what his godfather had envisioned for him. Both Bianchi and Leclerc were part of the Ferrari Driver’s Academy in their early years. I went bright red and apologised profusely.

"It's the best compliment I could get"– Charles Leclerc to journalist ... (The Sportsrush)

Charles Leclerc used to idolize Jules Bianchi while growing up and dedicated his Ferrari seat to him; he is still in awe of the French racer.

“I am extremely happy to be the one. “Jules Bianchi deserved this place more than I do,” said Leclerc to the media. His death surely affected Leclerc, but it also made him committed to getting that Ferrari seat.

“7 years since you are gone”- Charles Leclerc shares a ... (Sportskeeda)

Charles Leclerc took to social media to remember the death of his godfather Jules Bianchi. Bianchi, a former F1 driver and Ferrari academy member, ...

All these hopes of becoming a young Ferrari driver came to a head at the 2014 F1 Japanese GP when Bianchi was involved in a crash in treacherous conditions. So much so that Ferrari kept a keen eye on Bianchi as a future driver and he was in line to replace Kimi Raikkonen if the Finnish driver did not show improvements. Bianchi, a former F1 driver and Ferrari academy member, was Leclerc's godfather and had helped him throughout his junior career, even helping him get in touch with Nicolas Todt as his manager.

Was Jules Bianchi related to Charles Leclerc? (Media Referee)

Fans on social media have been curious to know whether the late Jules Bianchi was related to current Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.

In 2018, Leclerc made his Formula One debut for Sauber, a Ferrari-affiliated team, where he was a student at the Ferrari Driver Academy. He died on July 17, 2015, from injuries sustained at the time of his accident in Suzuka nine months earlier. Jules Bianchi also competed in racing in Formula Renault 3.5, GP2, and Formula Three, where he was a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy. In 2012, Jules Bianchi made his Formula One debut for Sahara Force India as a practice driver.

"The champion of future is my little brother Charles Leclerc"– Jules ... (The Sportsrush)

Jules Bianchi long ago saw that Charles Leclerc was a world-class talent and wanted people to stop talking about him and notice the latter.

Leo Turrini from QN Motori reveals that the French race driver at that time wanted people to see Leclerc instead of him. However, long before Leclerc seriously came under the F1 world’s radar, former F1 driver Jules Bianchi realized Leclerc’s potential. Leclerc is vying for the championship this year with a faster car.