Bianchi ‘situation remains challenging’, says family

The Frenchman aquaplaned off a wet Suzuka track at speed with his car hitting the rear of a recovery tractor that had been deployed to remove Adrian Sutil's crashed Sauber on October 5.

“The past nine days have been extremely difficult for Jules and his family,” read the statement on the team’s official website.

“As a consequence of the accident at Suzuka, a number of medical challenges have needed to be overcome and the situation remains challenging due to the diffuse axonal traumatic brain injury Jules has sustained.

“Jules remains in a critical but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit of Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi. The Bianchi family continue to be comforted by the thoughts and prayers of Jules’ many fans and the motor sport community.

“In particular, the many demonstrations of support and affection during the course of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi were of enormous comfort to Jules’ parents and the relatives and friends also present at the hospital.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Bianchi’s father issued a heartbreaking update on his son’s condition, telling Gazzetta dello Sport that he fears being told his son has died every time the telephone rings.