Bianchi family ‘seek justice for Jules’

Jules Bianchi’s family is suing the FIA, the Formula One Group and Marussia over the death of their son, who suffered fatal head injuries at the 2014 Japanese GP.

Bianchi crashed in the wet at the Suzuka circuit, hitting a mobile crane that had been dispatched to retrieve Adrian Sutil’s Sauber from the gravel trap.

He suffered a diffuse axonal injury and died nine months later having never regain consciousness.

British firm Stewarts Law, representing the family, said the death had been avoidable.

Stewarts Law partner Julian Chamberlayne said: “Jules Bianchi’s death was avoidable. The FIA Panel Inquiry Report into this accident made numerous recommendations to improve safety in Formula 1 but failed to identify where errors had been made which led to Jules’ death.

“It was surprising and distressing to the Bianchi family that the FIA panel in its conclusions, whilst noting a number of contributing factors, blamed Jules.

“The Bianchi family are determined that this legal process should require those involved to provide answers and to take responsibility for any failings.

“This is important if current and future drivers are to have confidence that safety in the sport will be put first. If this had been the case in Suzuka, Jules Bianchi would most likely still be alive and competing in the sport he loved today.”

His father Philippe Bianchi added: “We seek justice for Jules, and want to establish the truth about the decisions that led to our son’s crash at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2014.

“As a family, we have so many unanswered questions and feel that Jules’ accident and death could have been avoided if a series of mistakes had not been made.”