F1 tribute to Bianchi

THE number 17 car driven by Jules Bianchi has been retired from future Formula One championships out of respect to the late Marussia driver.

Bianchi died on Friday, nine months after his devastating accident at last season’s Japanese Grand Prix.

F1’ s ruling body the FIA confirmed his car’s withdrawal on their official website.

“As F1 car numbers are now personally chosen by each driver, the FIA believes it to be an appropriate gesture to retire Jules Bianchi’s number 17. As a result, this number can no longer be used for a car competing in the FIA Formula One World Championship,” a FIA statement read.

Bianchi, 25, had been fighting for his life in a Nice hospital. He is the first F1 driver to perish from a racing accident since triple world champion Ayrton Senna in San Marino in 1994.