Charles Leclerc will wear a helmet in tribute to Jules Bianchi at the Japanese Grand Prix
The Ferrari driver pays tribute, for the 10th anniversary of Jules Bianchi's accident at Suzuka, by wearing a helmet in his honor.
10 years ago, Jules Bianchi suffered a serious accident during the final laps of the 2014 Japanese GP, in the rain, and died in July of the following year from his injuries.
He had acted as a mentor for Charles Leclerc, the Monegasque considering Jules Bianchi as a mentor in his career. I obviously think very often about Jules, because it was him who helped me get there.
Even if the Suzuka 2014 race had taken place in October rather than April, the 2024 race will mark the 10th anniversary of the Frenchman’s accident. Leclerc based his tribute helmet on the design used by Bianchi with his Marussia in 2014, and he has the number 17 of the latter, which was later withdrawn from use by the FIA.
« Of course, it’s a very special place, and every time I arrive here, I have Jules somewhere in my mind », Leclerc said in an interview with Autosport about this date.
In 2010 already, he spoke to Nicolas [Todt], my manager, so that I would be supported to get to F1. And he changed the outcome of my career. And before that, we have always been extremely close, and our two families are still very close. So it’s a very special place to be here. I will have a helmet for him this weekend, and of course, as always, he is always in my heart, and it will be very important to do well this weekend.
The two French drivers on the current grid also paid tribute to Bianchi at Suzuka on Thursday. “A tragic day,” Ocon said when asked about his memories.
« I think what happened to Jules is something we are all sad about. Jules represented to us the hope of French motorsport. He was the young man who was coming up, and he was certainly going to succeed, and most likely become a champion at some point. That’s how we saw him coming. And furthermore, having spent a lot of time driving in Brignoles [karting circuit], seeing him race, being with Charles when we were younger, it is obviously sad to come here and remember him.
»
But we obviously have to keep running, that’s what he would have done, and that’s what we will do, explains the Alpine pilot.
Ocon’s teammate, Pierre Gasly, recalled that Jules Bianchi is someone who has inspired young French drivers. “We will always remember Jules for who he was, I think. Obviously as a driver, but also as a human being, he was extremely kind. He was an example for many drivers, but especially in France.”
« I remember the time when we were in the French team, like all young drivers, with Anthoine [Hubert], Esteban and many other young kids, we obviously considered him as the next big thing in F1, because everyone, I think, agrees that he would eventually end up at Ferrari,” said Gasly.
(c) It’s really very, very sad to remember what happened. He definitely made his mark in F1, but also beyond, and I will always remember him.
