Formula One Vault

Jules Bianchi has undergone major brain surgery in a battle to save his life following a crash with a recovery truck  the Japanese Grand Prix. The Frenchman went off the circuit in the closing laps of the race.

The 25-year old was unconscious following losing control where the recovery truck was were attending a previous crash.

In wet conditions, Sauber driver Adrian Sutil firstly spun and hit the tyre barrier as rain intensified in the latter stages of the race.

While recovery vehicles were lifting Sutil’s car, Bianchi lost control of his car, travelled across the run-off area and hit the back of the tractor.

The race was red-flagged and then declared over after 44 laps. He was transferred for a CT scan which showed a severe head injury and he is currently undergoing surgery. Following this he will be moved to intensive care where he will be monitored.

Race winner Lewis Hamilton said “It is obviously a real anti-climax to hear one of our colleagues is seriously injured. That is the main worry.”

Sutil said: “I had aquaplaning in Turn Eight. The rain was increasing and the tyres were going down, the light was going down. It was hard to see. I was following Jules very close and had a spin and hit the wall. I was OK and then one lap later, under waved yellows, Jules was in the same trouble.”

Felipe Massa who survived a major head injury during qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, said: “We need to understand what has happened with Jules. I’m very worried.

“I was already screaming on the radio five laps before the safety car that there was too much water on the track, but they took a bit too long and it was dangerous.”

As this report was published new details say he is now out of surgery and breathing on his own. But he remains in intensive care at the hospital in Mie General Hospital.

Also, this comes months after the Skiing accident of Michael Schumacher which left him with a severe head injury and he went home after just over nine months in hospital in September.