Jules Bianchi: Marussia driver's career in pictures
- Published
The world of Formula 1 is in shock after the death of Jules Bianchi. The 25-year-old suffered a severe head injury in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix last October. The Frenchman is pictured here on his way to the grid for his final race.
In 2007, Bianchi shows his potential as a younger driver as he moves into single seaters as reigning French karting champion and wins the Formula Renault 2.0 series at his first attempt, winning five races and scoring 11 podiums in 13 races.
Bianchi tests a Formula 1 car for the first time at the young drivers' test at Jerez in 2009 for Ferrari, months after being linked as a potential stand-in for Felipe Massa at Ferrari after the Brazilian suffered a head injury in an accident in Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying.
Bianchi becomes a member of Ferrari’s young driver programme in 2011, testing for the team at their private track at Fiorano and taking part in the young drivers' test in Abu Dhabi.
As his reputation grows, Ferrari loan Bianchi to Force India for 2012, where he takes part in nine Friday practice sessions as test and reserve driver. He also finishes second in the Formula Renault 3.5 series, a feeder series to Formula 1.
In 2013, Bianchi gets his shot as a Formula 1 race driver when Marussia sign him just before the season starts. His finishes 13th in an uncompetitive car at the Malaysian Grand Prix as the team achieve 10th in the constructors’ championship.
After a tough start to the 2014 season, the 25-year-old says it feels “amazing” as he scores his – and Marussia’s – first points in Formula 1 with an impressive drive to ninth at the Monaco Grand Prix. He was described by Fernando Alonso as a "top driver".
At the Japanese GP during lap 41, Bianchi crashed into a recovery vehicle as it lifted Sauber driver Adrian Sutil's car.
"Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end," his family said in a statement confirming the sad news. He competed in 34 races and won Marussia's only point before folding.
- Published18 July 2015
- Published18 July 2015
