F1 Driver Jules Bianchi Passes Away in Nice

Despite the best efforts of medical staff and the support of his family and friends Jules had remained unconscious since his return to the medical facility in France. Although he was able to breath on his own and his organs were functioning normally and without assistance, he remained in a coma.

In a statement issued on Saturday morning from the Bianchi Family, they announced the sad loss; Jules passed away on Friday (17th July) night at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire in Nice:

“Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end,” said the Bianchi family. “The pain we feel is immense and indescribable. We wish to thank the medical staff at Nice’s CHU who looked after him with love and dedication. We also thank the staff of the General Medical Center in the Mie Prefecture (Japan) who looked after Jules immediately after the accident, as well as all the other doctors who have been involved with his care over the past months.

"Furthermore, we thank Jules’ colleagues, friends, fans and everyone who has demonstrated their affection for him over these past months, which gave us great strength and helped us deal with such difficult times. Listening to and reading the many messages made us realise just how much Jules had touched the hearts and minds of so many people all over the world.

"We would like to ask that our privacy is respected during this difficult time, while we try to come to terms with the loss of Jules.”

Over the weekend there has been an outpouring of messages of grief and support from friends, fans, former colleagues and even the French President, Francois Hollande.

There will be a memorial service tomorrow, Tuesday 21st July at 10am at the Sainte Réparate Cathedral in Nice.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends as they come to terms with this loss.