10 years ago, Formula 1 lost Jules Bianchi: how this tragedy changed safety in the sport

It’s a tragedy that Formula 1 has never forgotten. On July 17, 2015, 10 years ago to the day, Jules Bianchi died following his accident at the Japanese Grand Prix nine months earlier. An accident that would bring about lasting changes to safety in motorsport’s premier class.

It was thought that death could no longer strike Formula 1. Ten years ago today, on July 17, 2015, Jules Bianchi passed away. The 26-year-old French driver succumbed to his accident at the Japanese Grand Prix nine months earlier. An accident and a death that would have a lasting impact on the sport. But what happened at this Grand Prix?

Dantean conditions

Back in 2014, on October 5 to be precise. The Japanese Grand Prix is about to start despite the threat of a typhoon. At that time, the last driver to lose his life on a racetrack was Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna. The three-time world champion died at the San Marino Grand Prix on May 1, 1994, 20 years earlier.

On the circuit, due to torrential rain, visibility was almost nil. Race management decided that the drivers would start behind the safety car. But even at reduced speed, several drivers fell victim to aquaplaning. After two laps, Marcus Ericsson spun. The red flag was waved until conditions improved.

Moments later, the drivers were back on track behind the safety car. The race finally got underway after several reconnaissance laps, but the track remained very tricky. On lap 42, Adrian Sutil lost control of his single-seater and crashed into the tire wall at Turn 7. Moments later, tragedy struck.

Power of impact measured at 254g

The track marshals are busy evacuating the car. A hoist was called in to assist on the trackside. The following lap, Jules Bianchi, at the wheel of his Marussia, went aquaplaning, tried to rectify his trajectory but shot straight ahead and crashed into the emergency vehicle, which was lifted by the impact.

The Frenchman was unconscious, suffered serious head injuries and was rushed to hospital. The race, finally won by Lewis Hamilton, was interrupted. The force of the impact was measured at 254g, equivalent to a fall from a height of 48 metres.

Transported to Mie University Hospital in Yokkaichi, Jules Bianchi was placed in intensive care. On October 13, the family gave the first official information on the pilot’s state of health. He was in a “desperate” state and in a coma. A month later, he was repatriated to his native Nice. Nine months later, at the age of 25, Jules Bianchi died of his injuries.

Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Romain Grosjean, Sebastian Vettel but also legends such as Alain Prost and Olivier Panis were present at his funeral on July 21, 2015. Five days later, Sebastian Vettel won the Hungarian Grand Prix, dedicating the victory to the French driver: “Thank you Jules, this victory is yours”.

Safety measures introduced in 2015

Following this accident, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile undertook measures to reinforce safety on the track. In 2015, the Virtual Safety Car was introduced. A measure designed to force all drivers to drastically slow down to avoid danger.

To protect drivers’ heads, which were particularly exposed in the single-seaters of the time, a number of solutions were studied. The halo, a titanium hoop attached to the single-seater chassis, made its appearance in 2018. This safety device will save the lives of Charles Leclerc in Belgium in 2018, Romain Grosjean at the Bahrain GP in 2020, Lewis Hamilton at Monza in 2021 and Guanyu Zhou at Silverstone in 2022.

10 years on, the memory of the French driver is still very much alive, and he lives on thanks to Charles Leclerc too. Jules Bianchi was the Monegasque’s motorsport godfather. This Thursday, Formula 1 and the drivers pay tribute to this driver who has gone too far, to this very promising French F1 hopeful who put in a remarkable performance on the streets of Monaco in 2014 and who was undoubtedly destined to drive for Scuderia Ferrari one day.

Source Article : https://www.europe1.fr/sport/il-y-a-10-ans-la-formule-1-perdait-jules-bianchi-comment-cette-tragedie-a-fait-evoluer-la-securite-de-la-discipline-764460