Jules Bianchi in critical condition after severe crash

[bigbadbrother]

AP

Marussia Formula One driver Jules Bianchi is in critical condition after crashing at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Bianchi was unconscious when he was taken to a nearby hospital following a crash during Sunday's rain-shortened race and is undergoing emergency surgery after a scan revealed a severe head injury.

According to FIA officials, the 25-year-old Bianchi will be moved to intensive care where he will be monitored after the surgery.

The race was red-flagged with nine laps to go after Bianchi went off at Turn 7, where Sauber's Adrian Sutil had crashed earlier.

The Sauber was being recovered by a crane when Bianchi went off.

Sutil indicated Bianchi's car had hit the crane.

"I aquaplaned," Sutil said. "The rain got more and more. One lap later with waved yellow flags, Jules came around and had the same spin there and that was it. It was the same crash but the outcome was different. The car came out to rescue my car and it all happened."

Sunday's race started at 3 p.m. local time. An approaching typhoon led to suggestions that the race would be pushed up to an earlier start.

At the time of the crash, rain was falling steadily and it was getting dark. Several drivers complained of not being able to see properly.

The first nine laps were run behind a safety car and it started to rain heavily again near the end of the race.

[bigbadbrother]

Luke Smith

UPDATE 1230 ET: Jules Bianchi is out of surgery and is breathing unassisted after suffering a severe head injury in a crash during today’s Japanese Grand Prix, reports suggest.

In wet conditions at Suzuka, Sauber’s Adrian Sutil spun off with a few laps remaining, prompting a recovery vehicle to come and try to remove the car.

Bianchi (pictured taking part in practice on Friday at Suzuka) spun off at the crash site, hitting the vehicle that was being used to recover Sutil’s car. He did not respond to a radio call from Marussia at the time.

The Frenchman was transported via ambulance while unconscious to the Mie General Hospital where he underwent surgery for a severe head injury, according to the FIA statement at 0720 ET.

“The CT scan shows he has suffered a severe head injury and is undergoing surgery,” it read. “Folowing this, he will be moved to intensive care where he will be monitored. Mie General Hospital will issue an update as soon as further information becomes available.”

In the past hour, it has been reported by a number of outlets including the BBC that Bianchi is now out of surgery at the hospital, and is breathing independently. He has been moved to the intensive care unit where his condition will be monitored further.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, FIA media delegate Matteo Bonciani confirmed that Bianchi had been transported to the hospital by ambulance and was unconscious at the time.

“The driver is unconscious. He has been sent to hospital by ambulance because the helicopter cannot go in these conditions. Further updates will follow. For the moment, we cannot say nothing. I will keep you updated as fast as I can.”

Adrian Sutil, who was at the site of the accident, explained his view of the incident to the media following the race.

“The yellow flags were out,” he said. “I aquaplaned on this corner as the rain got more and more, the stability got less and less.

“One lap later, with waved yellow flags, Jules came around and had the same spin there, and that was it. It was more or less the same crash, it’s just the outcome was a bit different. The car came out to rescue my car and then it all happened.”

The Japanese Grand Prix was affected by torrential rain due to the inbound Typhoon Phanfone, which is set to hit the country tomorrow.

After two laps behind the safety car at the start of the race, FIA race control brought out the red flag to suspend all running due to the wet weather.

However, just ten minutes later, the decision was taken to restart behind the safety car as conditions improved, and it soon became dry enough for drivers to race on intermediate tires.

In the final few stages of the race, more rain began to fall, causing on-track grip to deteriorate and prompting many to make the switch to full wet tires once again.

Following the accident at turn eight, the race was red flagged for a second time, with the result being declared soon after. Lewis Hamilton extended his championship lead with his third straight victory ahead of Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel. However, celebrations on the podium were muted as news of Bianchi’s accident spread.

Although this news is encouraging at the end of a very difficult day at Suzuka, our thoughts and prayers must remain with Bianchi and his family at this time.

[bigbadbrother]

A video, taken by a fan, has surfaced of Jules Bianchi's crash during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

The race, Round 14 of the 2014 Formula One season, was held on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. It was held in mixed weather conditions and ended prematurely as Jules Bianchi's Marussia spun off and collided with a crane that was recovering the wrecked Sauber driven by Adrian Sutil.

Sutil had spun off on Lap 41 of the 53-lap race at the exit of the seventh corner, a high-speed left hander called the Dunlop Curve. Bianchi reportedly encountered a similar spin one lap later, resulting in this freak accident that led to a red flag after 44 of the 53 laps had been completed. The race was not resumed.

Bianchi was knocked unconscious and taken to the nearby Mie University Hospital, where he underwent surgery for severe head injuries. Bianchi is currently in a 'serious but stable condition' and has received much support from fans across the world since the incident.

The 25-year-old Frenchman is in his second full-time year of Formula One and gave the Marussia team its first World Championship points at the 2014 Monaco GP.


https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/FB558821841130912707328040960_2898a9edd84.5.1.6993 934186358859687.mp4?versionId=aZIIxoqd5tZwkC0x8uK9 knGPtF6HPLiw

[bigbadbrother]

The Marussia team and the family of Jules Bianchi issued the following statement Tuesday morning regarding the condition of Bianchi, who suffered a serious Formula One crash at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday:

“This is a very difficult time for our family, but the messages of support and affection for Jules from all over the world have been a source of great comfort to us. We would like to express our sincere appreciation.

“Jules remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi. He has suffered a diffuse axonal injury and is in a critical but stable condition. The medical professionals at the hospital are providing the very best treatment and care and we are grateful for everything they have done for Jules since his accident.

“We are also grateful for the presence of Professor Gerard Saillant, President of the FIA Medical Commission, and Professor Alessandro Frati, Neurosurgeon of the University of Rome La Sapienza, who has travelled to Japan at the request of Scuderia Ferrari. They arrived at the hospital today and met with the medical personnel responsible for Jules’ treatment, in order to be fully informed of his clinical status so that they are able to advise the family. Professors Saillant and Frati acknowledge the excellent care being provided by the Mie General Medical Center and would like to thank their Japanese colleagues.

“The hospital will continue to monitor and treat Jules and further medical updates will be provided when appropriate.”