Ten years later, Jules Bianchi's legacy is stronger than ever

Ten years. Ten years already since that October 5, 2014, when the lives of Jules Bianchi and his loved ones changed forever. The Niçois, rising star of the Formula 1, saw his trajectory suddenly broken in the rain of Suzuka. Nine months later, in his hometown, Bianchi passed away, leaving behind a family and a sport in mourning. Today, the memory of the young 25-year-old driver is still present, still as strong, and is noticeable in several ways.

A fight for security

A month later, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile organised a first test of a system called "Virtual Safety Car", during the tests for the United States Grand Prix in Austin. A direct legacy of the tragedy that occurred in Japan, aimed at slowing down cars in situations where marshals or lifting equipment came onto the track. A second test will be organised in Brazil, before the definitive introduction of the system for the start of the 2015 season.

If today the VSC has become something natural in the world of Formula 1 and motor sports in general, it is unfortunately the exit of Bianchi that hastened the work on such provisions. However, this did not prevent an extremely dangerous episode during the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix. Under red flag, following the exit of Carlos Sainz, a vehicle entered the track while the cars were still passing at reduced speed, but with very limited visibility and grip. Pierre Gasly had narrowly avoided the accident, causing his anger and that of part of the paddock. Proof that when it comes to safety, it is never a question of letting your guard down.

The Frenchman from the stable Alpha Tauri was piloting a plane that day car equipped with a Halo. The device came into operation in 2018, having been developed since 2009, when the FIA ​​launched its first work on systems protecting drivers' heads, following Henry Surtees' accidents in F2, and Felipe Massa in Formula 1. The Suzuka accident contributed to the work undertaken by the FIA ​​until the first tests of the Halo in 2016, and its final adoption two years later.

Charles Leclerc, the successor

It is impossible to separate the career and trajectory of Charles Leclerc of those of Jules Bianchi. The Monegasque grew up in the world of motor racing under the gaze of the Bianchi family. His beginnings in karting, Leclerc did them with Jules Bianchi as his mechanic. It is obviously no coincidence that the two men had the same manager, Nicolas Todt.

Intended to pilot for the Team Ferrari, Bianchi was never able to realize this dream. When Leclerc signed his official driver contract for 2019, all thoughts turned to the late driver, whose presumed destiny was fulfilled by his protégé. Philippe Bianchi, Jules' father, mentioned Charles Leclerc in the columns of the JDD, the Monegasque being the one who managed to get him back to Formula 1.

"I'm getting there because there's Charles. His father, who passed away, was like my brother. We raised our sons together on the Brignoles karting track in the Var. I'm following him with great interest because I see a lot of similarities with Jules. My son was part of the Ferrari academy, he should have become a driver with them but I'm happy that Charles has taken up the torch. He's doing great things, I hope he'll quickly become world champion."

The Jules Bianchi Association

For ten years, Philippe Bianchi has been fighting to continue his son's fight, notably through the Jules Bianchi Association. This association aims to collaborate with the UCSL service (care units for severely brain-injured patients) in Nice. It was in this unit that Jules Bianchi had been repatriated after starting his fight in Japan. The association aims in particular to help the unit by offering equipment, but also moral support, essential for hospitalized people as well as their loved ones.

Recently, 50 euros were raised for the Jules Bianchi Association during a karting marathon on the Castellet circuit, in the presence of Charles Leclerc. A 000-hour race, a weekend dedicated to remembrance, but also to the fight for the many patients hospitalized with brain injuries in France and around the world. One of the association's mottos is "his dream, to drive. Ours today, let's never forget it..."

Ten years later, Jules Bianchi is not forgotten, his memory stronger than ever...