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Jules Bianchi: Formula 1 bids farewell at driver's funeral | Jules Bianchi: Formula 1 bids farewell at driver's funeral |
(35 minutes later) | |
The world of motorsport has bid farewell to French Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi at his funeral in his hometown of Nice. | |
World champion Lewis Hamilton and many of Bianchi's colleagues joined family and friends at a service in the city's cathedral while fans gathered outside. | |
The 25-year-old died on Friday from head injuries he sustained in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. | |
His car number, 17, is being retired from F1 in his honour. | His car number, 17, is being retired from F1 in his honour. |
Bianchi had been in a coma since crashing his Marussia car into a recovery vehicle at a rain-hit race last October. | Bianchi had been in a coma since crashing his Marussia car into a recovery vehicle at a rain-hit race last October. |
He is the first F1 driver to die from injuries sustained in a grand prix since Brazilian triple world champion Ayrton Senna was killed at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994. | He is the first F1 driver to die from injuries sustained in a grand prix since Brazilian triple world champion Ayrton Senna was killed at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994. |
Tributes are expected to be paid at the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend. | |
A number of Formula 1 colleagues travelled to Nice to pay their respects on Tuesday. Large posters of Bianchi were draped outside the cathedral entrance. | A number of Formula 1 colleagues travelled to Nice to pay their respects on Tuesday. Large posters of Bianchi were draped outside the cathedral entrance. |
"Direction Nice to say goodbye to our colleague, friend Jules," Lotus driver and fellow Frenchman Romain Grosjean posted on Twitter. | |
Other drivers attending included Nico Rosberg, Felipe Massa, and Olivier Panis. | |
Sebastian Vettel, the four-time former world champion, helped carry Bianchi's coffin out of the cathedral at the end of the service, according to the AFP news agency. | |
Announcing his death on Saturday, Bianchi's family said: "Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end." | Announcing his death on Saturday, Bianchi's family said: "Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end." |
Former world champion Jenson Button led tributes from the world of motorsport. | Former world champion Jenson Button led tributes from the world of motorsport. |
"Last night we lost a truly great guy and a real fighter. RIP Jules, my sincerest condolences to his family and friends," the McLaren driver said on Saturday. | "Last night we lost a truly great guy and a real fighter. RIP Jules, my sincerest condolences to his family and friends," the McLaren driver said on Saturday. |
The Marussia team, now known as Manor, said Bianchi had left an "indelible mark on all our lives". | The Marussia team, now known as Manor, said Bianchi had left an "indelible mark on all our lives". |
Read more on Bianchi's death | Read more on Bianchi's death |
The accident happened when Bianchi's car slid off the wet Suzuka track and into a crane picking up the Sauber of German driver Adrian Sutil, who had crashed at the same spot one lap earlier. | The accident happened when Bianchi's car slid off the wet Suzuka track and into a crane picking up the Sauber of German driver Adrian Sutil, who had crashed at the same spot one lap earlier. |
He suffered massive head injuries and was treated in intensive care in Japan before being transferred to a hospital in Nice in November. | He suffered massive head injuries and was treated in intensive care in Japan before being transferred to a hospital in Nice in November. |
The 25-year-old competed in 34 races during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, scoring the first-ever championship points for the Manor-Marussia team by finishing ninth at last year's Monaco Grand Prix. | The 25-year-old competed in 34 races during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, scoring the first-ever championship points for the Manor-Marussia team by finishing ninth at last year's Monaco Grand Prix. |