John Booth: “Destinies linked” with Bianchi

I think of Jules almost every day. I think of Jules, and I tell myself that he should be with us to share our joy at being here, in Melbourne. We weren't able to put the cars on the track, but we won our fight nonetheless. How I would like Jules to win his too…

Without him, without the two points he got in Monaco last year, we wouldn't be here. In the end, it was they who convinced the new investors of the team's potential. I think of Jules, and I also think of Philippe, his father, who told me, in the corridors of the Nice hospital, that we had to find a way to continue. No matter the cost. He knew our great difficulties, but he thought we owed it to Jules. In his eyes, disappearing was like letting him down. We have not disappeared and we will always be by his side.

Being here is also our way of telling Jules that the race is not over until the checkered flag falls. I don't know if our presence on the gates can be of any help to Philippe and his wife, but I hope so. However small and insignificant it may be. I'm not going to say that Jules is a source of inspiration for us because, in fact, he always has been and will remain so. The way he led his life, the way he behaved and the way he overcame trials speaks for him.

His fight is ours today, as ours was his. Our destinies are linked, and they will remain so. Together, we have experienced the greatest joys and the greatest sorrows, received great encouragement and gone through many trials.

Today, we are the first to emerge from the worst ordeal Manor has ever known, and I have no doubt that Jules will succeed too. Doesn't what we managed to rebuild over the winter show that faith can move mountains, that there is always hope as long as we believe in it? I believe in it, Manor believes in it.

Jules, your team is with you!

AUTOhebdo n°2003 has been available since Monday evening digitally available on all platforms and since this Wednesday on newsstands.