Jules Bianchi Formula 1 bids farewell at driver's
funeral
The world of motorsport has bid farewell to
French Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi at his
funeral in his hometown of Nice.
World champion Lewis Hamilton and many of
Bianchi's colleagues joined family and friends
at a service in the city's cathedral while
fans gathered outside.
The 25-year-old died on Friday from head injuries
he sustained in a crash at the 2014 Japanese
Grand Prix.
His car number, 17, is being retired from
F1 in his honour.
Bianchi had been in a coma since crashing
his Marussia car into a recovery vehicle at
a rain-hit race last October.
He is the first F1 driver to die from injuries
sustained in a grand prix since Brazilian
triple world champion Ayrton Senna was killed
at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.
Tributes are expected to be paid at the Hungarian
Grand Prix this weekend.
A number of Formula 1 colleagues travelled
to Nice to pay their respects on Tuesday.
Large posters of Bianchi were draped outside
the cathedral entrance.
Sebastian Vettel, the four-time world champion,
and F1 Lotus driver and fellow Frenchman Romain
Grosjean helped carry Bianchi's coffin after
the service.
Other drivers attending included Nico Rosberg,
Felipe Massa, and Olivier Panis.
The Eagles' 1970s anthem Hotel California
played in the background as the proceedings
got under way earlier in Nice, according to
AFP news agency.
The cathedral priest, Father Sylvain Brison
Mourners, told the congregation that Bianchi
was "a champion blessed with a rare talent",
and mourners applauded the late driver for
several minutes.
'Real fighter'
Announcing his death on Saturday, Bianchi's
family said: "Jules fought right to the very
end, as he always did, but today his battle
came to an end."
Former world champion Jenson Button led tributes
from the world of motorsport.
"Last night we lost a truly great guy and
a real fighter. RIP Jules, my sincerest condolences
to his family and friends," the McLaren driver
said on Saturday.
The Marussia team, now known as Manor, said
Bianchi had left an "indelible mark on all
our lives".
