Drivers mourn at Bianchi’s funeral

Formula One drivers came to say their goodbyes at Jules Bianchi’s funeral in France on Tuesday.

Bianchi died at the age of 25 last week, nine months after sustaining brain injuries at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Whilst racing for Marussia he suffered a diffuse axonal brain injury and never awoke from a coma.

Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Massa, Romain Grosjean and Jean-Eric Vergne were among the pall-bearers who carried Bianchi?s coffin from the cathedral, whilst Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton also attended.

Bianchi was the first Formula One driver to have been killed from injuries suffered during a race weekend since the tragic 1994 San Marino Grand Prix where Roland Ratzenberger and three-time Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna were killed.

His death also follows Maria de Villota who died 14 months after sustaining serious head injuries in a crash whilst straight-line testing for Marussia.

The FIA have announced that the number 17 will be retired in honour of Jules Bianchi.

‘Jean Todt, President of the Fédération Internationale de l?Automobile (FIA) announced that the car number 17 will be retired from the FIA Formula One World Championship in honour of Jules Bianchi.

‘As F1 car numbers are now personally chosen by each driver, the FIA believes it to be an appropriate gesture to retire Jules Bianchi?s number 17.

‘As a result, this number can no longer be used for a car competing in the FIA Formula One World Championship.’ an FIA statement read.