Bianchi still 'fighting' for life

22 May 2015 08:52

Jules Bianchi is still "fighting" for his life following his horrific crash last year but his condition is "stagnant", according to the Formula One driver's father.

Bianchi remains in a coma in his home town of Nice seven months after his Marussia crashed into a recovery vehicle during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

As the wait for him to regain consciousness goes on, the 25-year-old's family continues to suffer by his side.

"The first thing is that Jules is alive - that's the most important thing for us," Philippe Bianchi reportedly said in an interview with French television station Canal Plus.

"He's fighting with the weapons that he has. In neurological terms, I'm not sure he is able to do much now. The situation is stagnant. Jules' neurological progress is not what we would like it to be.

"Seeing him fighting gives a lot of hope to his loved ones, and it's important for us.

"While there is life, there is hope, even though after a while you are hoping for a miracle. Every day is difficult.

"Every day, when we get up, the telephone is by our side. When we get up every morning, we think of Jules' life. We think also of his death, because we have to think about death.

"We have to think about death because we are in a situation where we know a lot of things can happen. It's terrible.

"I think we all stopped living that day, the fifth of October. It's something you can never expect.

"It's not what Jules wants, being in a hospital bed. It's not his life - it's not what we want either. But we have to keep hope."

A year ago, Bianchi finished ninth at the Monaco Grand Prix to secure what remain the only points to date for the Marussia team - now known as Manor.

Manor have marked the return to the streets of Monte Carlo this weekend with red wristbands bearing 'JB17'.

"It was Jules' dream to score points in Formula One, and he did it with Marussia," Philippe Bianchi said. "I was there and I was lucky enough, when Jules finished the grand prix, that I was the first person he took into his arms because I was on my own when he finished. Those are incredible moments."

He added: "Jules is here. Despite the (accident) he had, he's still here and he's fighting. I think all of these people thinking about him give Jules strength. I think he can feel it and it's beautiful. We're very touched by it."

Source: PA