Manor have Bianchi on their minds

The Manor F1 team will make an emotional return to Monte Carlo this weekend with Jules Bianchi, who remains in hospital, on everyone's mind.

Bianchi produced a brilliant display at the Monaco Grand Prix 12 months ago as he came from 21st on the grid to finish ninth place and score the Banbury squad's first-ever points in Formula 1.

However, tragedy struck at the Japanese GP a few months later when he crashed into a recovery truck and he remains in hospital in his home city of Nice.

F1 returns to Monaco this weekend and Manor sporting director Graeme Lowdon says their thoughts will be with the Frenchman.

"Without any question it will be an emotional occasion for this team," he told Autosport.

"A lot of people in the team have been thinking about it; I've certainly been thinking about it, so it will be difficult.

"Going back is going to remind us of so many good times of a team-mate who is currently in hospital.

"There will be some difficult personal moments for everybody in the team, primarily because of Jules of course, but also because it was such a memorable race weekend and of what we achieved in the end.

"Obviously the result was great for our team, and it really was a full team effort.

"But every sport has heroes, and in our sport the drivers are the heroes, and Jules just drove a really great race that day."