Jules Bianchi critical in hospital after F1 crash

FRENCH driver Jules Bianchi underwent emergency surgery today after suffering a severe head injury following an accident at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Medics tend to Jules Bianchi after he crashed at Suzuka during the Japanese Grand Prix. Picture: Getty

The 25-year-old Marussia driver crashed into a recovery vehicle after aquaplaning off the wet track at the same corner as Sauber’s Adrian Sutil, who had left the circuit on the previous lap.

The FIA governing body said he would be moved to intensive care following the surgery.

Bianchi, a member of Ferrari’s young driver programme, was unconscious as he was taken to hospital following the incident which brought the rain-affected race in Suzuka to an early conclusion, with it declared over after 44 laps.

In a statement issued yesterday afternoon, the sport’s governing body said: “The driver was removed from the car, taken to the circuit medical centre and then by ambulance to Mie General Hospital. The CT scan shows that he has suffered a severe head injury and is currently undergoing surgery.”

The running of the race had been under threat all week as Typhoon Phanfone approached from the Pacific Ocean, and the event had already been red-flagged just two laps in, after beginning under safety car

conditions.

The race continued after the weather cleared up and was won by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton ahead of team-mate Nico Rosberg.