Rip Jules Bianchi... :( :( :(

[mtkr]

F1 gathers for Jules Bianchi's funeral in Nice

 

 

Jules Bianchi has been laid to rest in his home town of Nice following a funeral attended by many of the leading figures of Formula One.

 

Bianchi died on Friday night, nine months after suffering serious head injuries in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix. His funeral was held on Tuesday morning at Sainte Reparate Cathedral in Nice shortly after 10am local time.

 

Two portraits of the former Marussia driver had been placed at the front of the cathedral, while wreaths were placed in a square nearby. After the funeral, current drivers stood for a moment of quiet reflection around his coffin - which had Bianchi's helmet placed on the end - outside the cathedral.

 

Among those in attendance were former world champions Alain Prost, Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel, along with reigning champion Lewis Hamilton. They were joined by current drivers including Nico Rosberg, Nico Hulkenberg, Romain Grosjean, Felipe Massa, Marcus Ericsson, Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo.

 

Bianchi's former team-mate Max Chilton, Jean-Eric Vergne and Adrian Sutil were among the former F1 drivers in attendance. FIA president Jean Todt was also present, along with Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) president Alexander Wurz.

 

After the service Vergne, who was one of the pallbearers for his friend Bianchi, told Sky Sports: "One of the greatest drivers has left us, but with such a beautiful souvenir. He has been a great person, outside and on the track. His name will stay written in the history of Formula One ... He is with the greatest now, and he will always be in our hearts."

 

The FIA has  announced it will permanently retire Bianchi's number 17 from use in memory of the Frenchman. It is the first occasion of a number being retired in F1 as drivers now pick one number to accompany their entire career, a practice which started last season.

 

Bianchi's death marks the first time a driver has died as a result of a Formula One crash since Ayrton Senna was killed in an accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, 21 years ago.

 

 

[lbs]

Rip

[solman]

RIP