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October 7, 2014

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Home » Sports » Motor Racing

Crash latest tragedy in Bianchi family

Source: AP | October 7, 2014, Tuesday | Print Edition

THE family of Formula One driver Jules Bianchi has already paid a heavy price in motorsports.

The 25-year-old Bianchi, who is in intensive care with a severe head injury, crashed during the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on Sunday.

In 1969, his great-uncle, Lucien Bianchi, died in an accident during testing at the Le Mans race track when he crashed his Alfa Romeo into a post, a year after winning the prestigious endurance race.

Lucien Bianchi was regarded as one of the most talented drivers of his generation.

Jules Bianchi is also the grandson of Mauro Bianchi, a three-time world champion in the GT Sports car class.

Jules Bianchi’s father, who owns a restaurant in southern France with his wife Christine and managed the karting track where Jules developed his driving skills, also thought about embracing a career in auto racing but quickly gave up on the idea.

“It was too complicated because the family did not want to go through more tragedy,” Philippe Bianchi, who flew to Japan with his wife to be at his son’s bedside, told local newspaper Corse Matin in a recent interview.

While sacrificing his own hopes and personal aspirations, Philippe encouraged his son to follow his desire after noticing he was a natural on the track.

As the reigning French karting champion, Jules Bianchi won the Formula Renault 2.0 series in 2007 and became F3 Euro Series champion two years later before being included in Ferrari’s young drivers program.

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