French driver Jules Bianchi is in critical but stable condition following brain surgery, after a horrific accident at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday. A fan — who was filming another car’s previous accident — caught the moment the Marussia race car slammed into a recovery vehicle on a video.
It is truly miraculous that the 25-year-old Formula One (F1) driver is alive today. The footage shows how the emergency vehicle is working on removing Adrian Sutil’s disabled car, when Jules Bianchi crashes, head on, into the tractor.
The accident happened on lap 44 during heavy rain brought on by a typhoon, which was affecting the Suzuka track at the time. Many experts have criticized organizers for going ahead with the race under the treacherous conditions, and some drivers complained that it was very difficult to see. Driver Felipe Massa lead the complaints about conditions, saying he was “screaming” that it was too wet on the track prior to the accidents.
This is how things developed prior to Bianchi’s crash. Adrian Sutil’s vehicle aquaplaned and hit the safety barriers on lap 43, one lap later Jules Bianchi hit the recovery vehicle, which was attempting to remove Sutil’s car. Emergency personnel and ambulance was called on lap 45 and the race was finally canceled, with results counted back to standings on lap 44.
The Marussia Twitter account reported that Bianchi was having trouble as far back as lap 29.
Tweet from Jules #Bianchi ‘s team before his crash RT @Marussia_F1Team: Lap 29/53 | Jules is really struggling with a lack of rear grip.
— Ros Atkins (@BBCRosAtkins) October 6, 2014
The Anglo-Russian racing team Marussia, thanked concerned fans for the outpouring of support concerning Jules Bianchi condition. However, they asked for patience in regards to medical updates on the driver’s medical status in a statement on Monday.
“Marussia would like to acknowledge the huge outpouring of affection and support for Jules. Further medical updates will be communicated in conjunction with the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi, where Jules is being treated, when they feel it is appropriate. Representatives of the Marussia F1 Team and Ferrari will remain at the hospital to support Jules and the Bianchi family.”
Bianchi was a member of the young program at Ferrari and is well liked by colleagues, who were visibly upset after they found out about the accident. It is unclear whether the accident that sent Jules Bianchi to the hospital with a serious head injury was due to the wet track or some other mechanical problem.
[Image via Sport Love It ]
