Driver reaction from Suzuka

The Formula One paddock was a sombre place in Suzuka.

Jules Bianchi’s health was the only thing of consequence following his horrific crash during the Japanese Grand Prix.

Bianchi’s Marussia had crashed into a recovery vehicle which was on the outskirts of the circuit, it was retrieving the Sauber of Adrian Sutil, who could only watch on as the accident unfolded.

‘My thoughts are with Jules who went off in the same place as I did. Everything else is irrelevant at this point in time. Everybody in the paddock should think of him, and I hope that he is in good hands.’ Sutil told formula1.com.

Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn added: ‘All the members of the Sauber F1 Team are deeply concerned about the big accident involving Jules Bianchi. Our thoughts are with him, his family and his friends. Everybody in the team wishes him a speedy recovery. In light of this accident, the sporting aspects of the Japanese Grand Prix are in the least of our concerns.’

Four-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel added: ‘Everything that happened with the racing on track is secondary today, one of us is in a bad shape and we don’t yet know how he is. Jules had a bad accident and we hope to have some very good news, very soon. Not knowing what’s going on feels terrible, I think all the drivers really feel with him, as we know how difficult and slippery it was today; we hope for the very best.’

2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button said: ‘For me, the race doesn’t really matter today. I haven’t seen anything of Jules’ accident, but the most important thing to say is that all our thoughts are with him, his family, and his team right now. It’s an accident that you hope never happens in Formula 1.’

2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen added: ‘let’s hope we get some good news about Jules Bianchi soon.’

Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso said: ‘the only good news we want right now relates to Jules Bianchi. I hope that we hear very soon that he’s alright.’