21/07/2015
NEWS STORY
F1 drivers heading to Hungary for the last round of the championship before the summer break stopped off in the south of France today to bid adieu to their former colleague, Jules Bianchi.
Bianchi, having finally lost the fight and succumbed to injuries sustained during last year's Japanese Grand Prix was laid to rest in his home town of Nice following a service at the Sainte Reparate Cathedral.
Amongst those attending were former Marussia teammate Max Chilton, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Felipe Massa, Daniel Ricciardo, Daniil Kvyat and Jenson Button, whilst Sebastian Vettel, Jean-Eric Vergne, Adrian Sutil and Romain Grosjean were among the pall bearers, the coffin adorned with Bianchi's helmet.
Hundreds of fans and watched proceedings in the town square as the sport paid tribute to the first driver to die following an accident during an F1 race since 1994. Outside the Cathedral were large posters of the Frenchman.
As the mourners took their places at the ceremony, The Eagles Hotel California was played, Father Sylvain Brison telling those present that Jules was "a champion blessed with a rare talent".
Whilst claiming that the youngster's death was "profoundly unjust", he added that Bianchi had been "happy because he had made his dream come true.
"Jules never stood on a Formula One podium, so I ask you to applaud him now," he said, prompting several minutes of applause from those present and in the square.
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Picture: Daniel Ricciardo/Twitter