Monaco has a special place in the hearts of the Manor team, for it was here twelve months ago that Jules Bianchi brought his MR03 home in ninth, to claim his, and the team's, first world championship points.

Those two precious points were enough not only to lift the Yorkshire outfit above old foes Caterham in the standings, by season end they meant the team was ninth, ahead of Sauber also.

Though the team looked set to fall by the wayside, along with Caterham, it was the prize money resulting from Bianchi's Monaco miracle that proved attractive to potential buyers and thereby helped saved the team.

However, the French youngster was unable to savour just how much his endeavours were to mean to the team, for just a few months after the joy of Monaco came the tragedy of Suzuka, Bianchi suffering serious head injuries in a freak accident in appalling conditions during the Japanese Grand Prix.

In a year which began with the tragedy of Michael Schumacher, once again the sport was left heartbroken as one of its favourite sons fought the hardest, most important battle of their lives.

Ahead of this most poignant of weekends, Bianchi's father, Philippe, gave further insight to the fight his son is still waging.

"The first thing is that Jules is alive," he told Canal Plus, "that's the most important thing for us. He's fighting with the weapons that he has. In neurological terms, I'm not sure he is able to do much now. The situation is stagnant. Jules' neurological progress is not what we would like it to be.

"Seeing him fighting gives a lot of hope to his loved ones, and it's important for us," he continued. "While there is life, there is hope, even though after a while you are hoping for a miracle. Every day is difficult.

"Every day, when we get up, the telephone is by our side. When we get up every morning, we think of Jules' life. We think also of his death, because we have to think about death.

"We have to think about death because we are in a situation where we know a lot of things can happen. It's terrible. I think we all stopped living that day, the fifth of October. It's something you can never expect.

"It's not what Jules wants, being in a hospital bed. It's not his life... it's not what we want either. But we have to keep hope."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Darvi, 22/05/2015 10:37

"Tragic position for Jules and the family to be in, my heart goes out to them."

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2. Posted by Joop deBruin, 22/05/2015 1:25

"As a father of a 22 yr old son who shows amazing talent and humility, it makes my heart ache for Jules' father and family. Let's remember his excellent race last year while we hope that he can return to a life where he can communicate with his family. "

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Philippe Bianchi: While there is life, there is hope

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