Share

Driver critical after Japanese GP crash

ABHISHEK TAKLE

SUZUKA, Japan - French driver Jules Bianchi is in hospital with serious injuries after a crash that helped to halt early the wet 2014 Japanese Formula 1 GP on Sunday (Oct 5).

A spokesman for the governing International Automobile Federation announced: "The Marussia driver is not conscious and has been sent to hospital by road ambulance because the helicopter cannot go in these conditions.

Race report and results

A tropcal typhoon is approaching the area and most of the Japanese GP was raced in appalling condition with visibility heavily diminished by both pouring rain and tyre spray.

TWO CRASHES, SAME SPOT

No further details were immediately available and there was no immediate comment from Bianchi's Marussia team.

The crash happened at the point of the track, Dunlop Curve, where Adrian Sutil had aquaplaned off a lap earlier and a rescue tractor was busy recovering his damaged Sauber.

Sutil was not hurt that crash accident and said Bianchi's incident was very similar to his. "It was more or less the same crash, just the outcome was a bit different," he told Sky TV. "The car tractor-came out to rescue my car and then it all happened."

The crash brought out the safety and medical cars and led to the race being red-flagged and never re-started with the result declared after 44 of the 53 scheduled laps.

VIDEO: Bianchi crashes at Suzuka

There were no podium celebrations and the sparkling wine was left warming in the bottles,  the top three drivers merely clinking the bottles and taking a swig.

Mercedes' race winner Lewis Hamilton told the BBC: "It's obviously a real anti-climax to hear that one of our colleagues is seriously injured. You could see some commotion and that the car was really badly damaged on the right."

Hamilton's team mate Nico Rosberg, who finished second, added: "We just hope he's OK. I'm not thinking about the race, I'm thinking about my colleague.

"I've been given some information and it seems very, very serious. I'm hoping for the best."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()