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Jules Bianchi David Davies

F1 driver Jules Bianchi dies from injuries at last year's Japanese Grand Prix crash

The French driver would have turned 26 next month.

FRENCH FORMULA ONE driver Jules Bianchi died last night from head injuries he suffered in a crash at last October’s Japanese Grand Prix, his family said.

Bianchi, who would have been 26 next month, had been in a coma fighting for his life under controlled medical conditions in the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire hospital in his home city of Nice, southern France.

“Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end,” the Bianchi family said in a statement posted on Facebook in the early hours of Saturday.

“The pain we feel is immense and indescribable.”

On Monday, his father Pierre said he was “less optimistic” that Jules would make a full recovery after spending nine months in hospital with no signs of “significant progress”.

jules Jules Bianchi Official / Facebook Jules Bianchi Official / Facebook / Facebook

Bianchi joined the Marussia team in 2013 and competed in 34 grands prix, notching two world championship points.

F1 Bianchi Associated Press Associated Press

He suffered a traumatic brain injury when his car careered off the rain-drenched Suzuka circuit during the Japanese Grand Prix and smashed into a recovery truck at around 200 kilometres an hour.

Marussia, now called Manor F1, posted on Twitter:

Bianchi’s accident, which came as Formula One legend Michael Schumacher was battling back from a horrific ski accident, added to anxiety surrounding the high-octane motor racing circus.

While yellow warning flags were up, racing was still intense when Bianchi crashed and experts said the wet track, his tyres and his speed could all have been to blame for the accident.

Russia F1 Gp Auto Racing Associated Press Associated Press

Questions have also been raised about whether the marshals should have halted the race after Adrian Sutil’s Sauber came off the track on the previous lap.

Tributes have been flooding in for the driver today:

The Bianchi family in their statement thanked “everyone who has demonstrated their affection for him over these past months, which gave us great strength and helped us deal with such difficult times” and asked for privacy while they grieved.

© – AFP, 2015

Read: Buckingham Palace slams images of queen’s ‘Nazi salute’ as child>

Read: Man jailed for stealing a woman’s handbag as she lay dying on a roadside>

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    Mute Desmodromic
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 9:47 AM

    Blessed are the peacemakers. Rest in peace.

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    Mute Seán Dillon
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 9:47 AM

    Very sad day, he did monumental work on the peace process in Northern Ireland. Genuine and decent man.

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    Mute 2thFairy
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 9:51 AM

    A true man of peace. May he now rest in peace.

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    Mute Chief Buck Cat
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 9:52 AM

    The absolute soundest politician this country ever produced. A true Gentleman who epitomised kindness.

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    Mute Patrick O Connell
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 9:56 AM

    RIP , the man who brought peace to our island

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    Mute David Walsh
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 9:59 AM

    A man that knew nothing but friendship and peace and love. We should all be grateful.

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    Mute Patrick J. Keating
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 9:57 AM

    Probably one of the greatest men to ever stand on this planet. Rest In Peace.

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    Mute Joe Price
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 9:56 AM

    A once in a lifetime politican.
    Peace be with you John Hume

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    Mute T Dawg
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 10:00 AM

    The phrase never has so much been owed by so many to so few comes to mind!

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    Mute Dizzy
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 9:59 AM

    Rest in peace John.

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    Mute Orla Cosgrave
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 10:04 AM

    Deeply sadden to hear John Hume has died. One of Ireland’s greatest politicians and unbelievable peacemaker.

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    Mute C_O'S
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 10:14 AM

    A great ambassador who held the pieces together in getting the peace process to what a success it is today. RIP John. A legend he was.

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    Nick
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    Mute Nick
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 10:16 AM

    He risked his career by talking to the provost to bring about the peace when many deserted him, a great man.

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    Mute Bill Liffin
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 10:23 AM

    Extraordinary Derryman. A voice of reason in the madness. Huge figure in our History

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    Mute Stephen Byrne
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 10:25 AM

    A fine man who made an immeasurable contribution to the peace we have on this island today, may he rest peacefully

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    Mute Kate Mchugh
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 10:20 AM

    RIP John Hume. You were a good man.

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    Mute Lucille Ball
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 10:11 AM

    What a great man he was… did ye have to bring Bono into it?

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    Mute JusticeForJoe
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 11:04 AM

    @Lucille Ball: Whatever you think about Bono, he has contributed a lot to the world in a lot of ways

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    Mute Paul
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 10:39 AM

    A truly great person..rip

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    Mute Martin O Reilly (Máirtín)
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 9:59 AM

    Rip John. Well deserved. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 1:29 PM

    A man who entered politics to make a genuine, lasting and positive difference to his community. A very rare thing.

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    Mute Nigel o'Neill
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 1:14 PM

    If a land could weep, this island would shed one huge teardrop today! A visionary of peace and hope and respect.. What a legacy. Rest in the peace you helped create

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    Mute Oscar Leary
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 7:15 PM

    The single biggest contributor to the Irish peace process. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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    Mute Richard Lacey
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    Aug 3rd 2020, 10:07 AM

    Irelands loss today, brilliant man, we need many more with his straight leadership qualities in our government

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