Drivers on Bianchi accident: 'This had to happen, for our safety'

It has now been almost a decade since Jules Bianchi's tragic accident in Japan. Several Formula 1 drivers shared their thoughts and memories of the French driver during the weekend in Japan.

Previously, the Japanese Grand Prix was always held in the autumn. Such was the case in 2014. During a heavy rain race on 5 October, Bianchi experienced a hard crash. Due to aquaplaning, Adrian Sutil skidded off the track and ended up in the tyre pile-up. To recover his vehicle, a recovery vehicle had to enter the track. At the time, the cars continued driving as usual. A lap later, Bianchi similarly slid off the track and crashed into the vehicle.

Several F1 drivers about extraordinary Bianchi

The French driver subsequently ended up in a coma and died on 17 July 2015. When Formula 1 returns to Japan, memories resurface among drivers. Charles Leclerc had a very special bond with the Frenchman.

"Yes, of course, I mean it's a very special place, and whenever I get here, I have someone in my mind, Jules. I mean I obviously think about you sir very often because he's been the person that helped me to get there. Back in 2010 already he had spoken to Nicholas, my manager, for me to be supported, to get to Formula One and he's been the game changer in my career. And before that, we have always been extremely close, and both of our families are still always very close," the Monegasque driver says.

Max Verstappen tries not to think about it too much, but he does think his accident has caused changes in Formula 1. "Yeah, I think it's those days where you don't really want to think about too much. Personally, of course, I didn't know Jules that well, but of course, we all have friends in common that did. He was, of course, incredibly talented. And yeah, for sure, he would have achieved incredible things in Formula 1. I think everyone was pretty sure about that. But yeah, that was, I think, a very bad day for everyone, the sport, of course. But I think we also learned a lot about safety that day. Unfortunately, it seems like, you know, sometimes these kinds of things need to happen for safety to improve. And it's, of course, not what you like to see, but that's how it seems to work in life. But yeah, I do find it nice as well that he will always be remembered. There are things in his name, charities, the go-kart races his dad also still organises to always remember his name because he definitely deserves that."

Pierre Gasly, as a compatriot, has also always been impressed by Bianchi: "I agree with Max. I think Jules will always be remembered for who he was, obviously as a driver, but also just as a human being. He was extremely kind. Yeah, it was an example for a lot of drivers, but especially in France. I remember when we were in the French team, all young drivers with Antoine [Hubert], Esteban [Ocon], and many other young kids, that we obviously looked up to him as the next big thing in Formula 1, because everyone, I think, agrees that he would eventually make it to Ferrari. So, yeah, it's definitely very, very sad to remember what's happened. And I think he left his mark in Formula 1 and also beyond it. And it will definitely be always remembered."