The French Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi has died nine months after an accident at the Japanese Grand Prix left him in a coma with serious head injuries, his family have confirmed. Bianchi passed away in a hospital near the family home in Nice, where he was being treated.
Bianchi, 25, crashed out in the race at the Suzuka circuit after heavy rain had made conditions extremely difficult to drive in. When Bianchi went off at the same corner as Adrian Sutil, he collided with the recovery vehicle that was attending the stricken Sauber driver, impacting heavily with the underside of the tractor and causing severe trauma to his head.
In a statement, Bianchi's family said: "Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end". From Carlos Sainz Center, we want to convey our condolences to the family, friends and relatives. Rest in peace.