Formula One: Nervous wait for Bianchi family and team
Jules Bianchi’s father was rushing to Japan on Monday where the Formula One driver was in intensive care with a serious head injury, after one of the worst crashes the sport has seen in nearly two decades.
The French driver underwent emergency surgery on Sunday after slamming into a recovery vehicle on the Suzuka track near the end of a rain-sodden Japanese Grand Prix.
A small crowd of journalists had gathered on Monday outside the Mie Prefectural General Medical Centre in Yokkaichi, the nearest hospital to the track.
The hospital was refusing to comment on the driver’s condition, citing patient privacy and directing enquiries to the International Automobile Federation.
An AFP reporter at the scene said Marussia team principal John Booth and team general manager Graeme Lowdon had arrived at the facility.
Both men appeared to have slept little and deflected questions on the driver’s condition.
Venezuelan Formula One driver Pastor Maldonado was also seen at the hospital, where Felipe Massa had been spotted on Sunday evening.
Lotus driver Pastor Maldonado waving to journalists after visiting the Yokkaichi General Medical Centre on Monday where Bianchi is hospitalised.
Bianchi’s father was flying from France to be at his son’s bedside and was expected to arrive at the hospital on Monday evening.
“Jules is seriously injured,” Mr Philippe Bianchi told France 3 television on Sunday. “We will need to wait 24 hours to know any more on his condition.”
An unconscious Bianchi had to be removed from the wreckage of his car after the horror smash.
The incident happened as he ploughed into a recovery vehicle lifting Adrian Sutil’s prone Sauber away from danger after the German had skidded into a wall on lap 42.
Source: AFP
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