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Bianchi family launches legal action against FIA and Marussia

The family of Jules Bianchi has initiated a legal action against Formula 1's governing body, Bianchi's Marussia team and Formula One Group whose chief executive is Bernie Ecclestone.

Bianchi died last summer as a result of a massive head injury sustained at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, when his Marussia slid off the rain-soaked track and hit a tractor-crane head-on.

Stewarts Law, the firm representing the Bianchi family released the following statement:

"The family of Formula One racing driver, Jules Bianchi, has today announced they plan to take legal action in England relating to the fatal head injuries Jules Bianchi sustained in a violent collision with a mobile crane at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, 2014.

"The letters (to the FIA, Marussia and Formula One Group) explain why the Bianchi family feel the actions of one or more of those parties, amongst others, may have contributed to Jules’ fatal accident and invite them to accept that errors were made in the planning, timing, organisation and conduct of the race which took place in dangerous conditions during the typhoon season in Japan."

The FIA conducted its own investigation last year into Bianchi's crash, and concluded that various factors, track conditions, Bianchi's speed and the presence of the crane, contributed to the misfortune suffered by the 26-year-old French driver.

"We seek justice for Jules, and want to establish the truth about the decisions that led to our son’s crash at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2014," Philippe Bianchi released in a statement.

"As a family, we have so many unanswered questions and feel that Jules’ accident and death could have been avoided if a series of mistakes had not been made."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.