Nicolas Deschaux, the president of the French motorsport federation (FFSA), says the passing of Jules Bianchi leaves a “huge void” in the organisation.
The 25-year-old died overnight at Nice’s University Hospital Centre where he had been fighting for his life since his repatriation from Japan last November. Bianchi spent nine months in a coma before succumbing to the severe head injuries he had suffered in a heavy crash during the Suzuka race held on 5 October 2014.
“First of all, my thoughts go out to Jules’ parents Christine and Philippe, as well as his sister Mélanie and his brother Tom,” said Deschaux. “I’m immensely saddened by his passing because he was a very likeable and endearing person, loved by everyone in the paddock.
“The FFSA was very close to Jules and we enjoyed a warm relationship. We had taken him under our wing at age 15 and he was always happy to respond to our requests.
“He was the embodiment of joie de vivre, simplicity and kindness. But as soon as he was on track, he became a great fighter and was constantly going for the extra mile to surpass himself.
“As such, he was the perfect FFSA ambassador and taught our shared values to younger drivers during the numerous training camps and operations he attended.
“Along with Romain Grosjean, Jean-Eric Vergne and Charles Pic, Bianchi helped put France back on the Formula One map in 2013.
“He was a pure talent and about to reach the sport's better teams. Jules' death leaves a huge void behind.”
F1 drivers pay tribute to Bianchi after death at 25
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