The memory of Bianchi makes Leclerc's arrival at Suzuka “difficult”

The Monegasque admits that the memory of the accident which cost the life of his friend Jules Bianchi at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix makes his first visit there delicate because it is full of emotions.

Published on 04/10/2018 à 11:17

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The memory of Bianchi makes Leclerc’s visit to Suzuka “difficult”

The Frenchman violently collided with a recovery vehicle during a rain-swept race before succumbing to his serious brain damage nine months later.

Bianchi and his father Philippe had put their foot in Leclerc's stirrup by introducing him to karting on the family track of Brignoles in the Var. For his first visit to the Land of the Rising Sun, the Sauber driver shared a photo of his mentor and him when they were children with the inscription: “ It's impossible not to think about what happened four years ago. We miss you Julio. I will give everything for you ».

First time for me in Japan. Impossible to not think of what happened here 4 years ago. We miss you Julio, I'll push to make a good weekend for you @julesbianchi17 pic.twitter.com/xYQ3CAZZCL

— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) 3th October, 2018

Anxious to avoid media attention, Leclerc went to pay his respects on Wednesday at the Dunlop bend where his friend's accident took place in 2014.

« It's hard to come here when you know what happened, Leclerc told the media this Thursday at Suzuka. The lap with the team this morning was complicated. There were already media waiting for me to arrive so I quietly passed by yesterday alone. It's not easy but I will try to have the best weekend possible ».

Leclerc also revealed that he was thinking of paying tribute to Bianchi through the decoration of his 2019 helmet, his first as a starter for Ferrari, where the future of the Niçois seemed to be heading before his disappearance.

« I'm thinking about doing something next year on my helmet but you know that you can only change the pattern once per season, added the future Maranello driver. This year it was for my father (Hervé Leclerc, former pilot of F3 died last year, Editor's note) at Monaco.

I have an idea which would consist of separating the helmet livery into two parts with one side for Jules and the other for my father. This season, the only thing I can do is perpetuate his memory as best I can ».