Jules Bianchi, ten years on: in the eyes of Charles Leclerc, the memory of a driver and the legacy of F1 safety

Ten years ago, on July 17, 2015, the Formula 1 world held its breath, then mourned one of its brightest hopes, the French driver Jules Bianchi. His tragic passing, occurring nine months after a terrible accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, marked far more than just a sporting tragedy: it was the catalyst for a new and unprecedented era in safety, now protecting the drivers who continue to chase their dreams.

Jules, originally from Nice, was a brilliantly talented driver and a member of the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy. His future at Scuderia seemed all set. The most memorable moment of his all-too-short career was undoubtedly the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix, where he achieved the impossible: scoring the very first points for the Marussia team in Formula 1. An achievement that, even for a modest team, highlighted his immense skill and confirmed his status as a future star.

However, this promising career was abruptly interrupted on October 5, 2014, at the Suzuka circuit. In track conditions made treacherous by heavy rain, his Marussia, at a time when the virtual safety car (VSC) did not yet exist, went off track and hit a recovery vehicle that was intervening under yellow flags. Suffering from a severe diffuse brain injury, Jules Bianchi fought for nine long months before passing away at the age of 25. To this day, he remains the last Formula 1 driver to lose his life due to injuries sustained during a Grand Prix. This loss painfully reminds us of the fragility of life in the sport and the need for constant vigilance regarding safety. Ten years later, Jules’s loved ones retain an intact memory of him.

Jules Bianchi as seen by Leclerc

Among those who perpetuate his memory, Charles Leclerc holds a special place. The Monegasque, now a driver for Scuderia Ferrari, was not only Bianchi’s godson: he was his protégé, his childhood friend, and a privileged witness to his personality.

In his memories, Jules is not first a driver, but a caring big brother. “The first images I have of him are not race images, but moments of life,” Leclerc confides on the F1 site. As a child, he admired this young man eight years his senior, inseparable from his own older brother. It is in this family cocoon that their bond was built, between games, complicity, and shared memories around the karting circuits.

Leclerc fondly recalls their first sessions on the rental track managed by Jules’ father. He was just a little boy, too young to drive, but already allowed to race with the older ones. Those hours spent waiting for the track to close to drive privately have become precious memories, filled with carefree joy and passion.

But behind the friendship also hid a figure of inspiration. Bianchi was driven by a fierce competitiveness, which he applied to all areas, whether board games or amateur sports. « He could spend months training just to avoid losing a game of squash », recalls Leclerc. This determination profoundly impacted young Charles, who himself became a formidable perfectionist.

Beyond the athlete, it’s the man that Leclerc still admires today. A sunny, generous, funny, sometimes unpredictable but always sincere character. There are people in whom you can see goodness through their eyes or smile, and Jules was one of them, he says. For Leclerc, Bianchi was not just a role model: he was a landmark, whose imprint remains vivid every time he settles into his single-seater.

Through Leclerc’s memories, it is the human dimension of Jules Bianchi that reappears with force. But his impact goes beyond the personal realm. The accident that occurred at Suzuka also marked a decisive turning point for safety in Formula 1, triggering a series of major reforms.

Security Redefined

The accident of Jules Bianchi acted as a real wake-up call. The in-depth investigation conducted by the FIA led to important innovations, profoundly transforming safety in Formula 1.

• Virtual Safety Car (VSC): Directly introduced following the Suzuka tragedy in 2015, the VSC allows the race to be neutralized by requiring all drivers to reduce their speed to a predefined threshold. This prevents full-speed arrivals in incident zones, a situation that was central to Jules’ accident.

• The Halo device: Although the idea of cockpit protection existed, the nature of Jules’ injury gave a decisive impetus to the adoption of the Halo. This titanium “windscreen,” made mandatory in F1 from 2018, has since proven life-saving, notably protecting Charles Leclerc in Belgium in 2018 and Romain Grosjean during his spectacular accident in Bahrain in 2020.

• Revised procedures and infrastructures: Guidelines have been established concerning the Grand Prix start times to ensure better visibility, especially in bad weather. The intervention protocols for recovery vehicles have been strengthened, and specifically at Suzuka, a fixed portal has been installed at turn 7 to avoid the presence of mobile cranes at the trackside.

These measures were not just simple technical adjustments. They have profoundly changed the way F1 approaches safety, and Bianchi’s legacy is reflected in every decision made to prevent another tragedy.

A memory still alive

As a sign of respect and so that no one forgets, number 17, Jules’ number, was retired from Formula 1, a strong symbolic gesture to forever mark his place in F1. His family, through the Jules Bianchi Association, continues essential work of remembrance and support for victims of brain injuries, constantly reminding of the importance of safety.

On this somber anniversary, Jules Bianchi is remembered not only as an immense talent taken too soon but also as a catalyst for lasting progress. His tragic passing marked a before and after, forcing Formula 1 to deeply reconsider how it protects its drivers. His legacy ensures that today, every race, every overtaking maneuver, also resonates as a silent tribute to the one whose tragic fate led to advances that continue, ten years later, to save lives.