F1 champion Mika Hakkinen says Jules Bianchi was a ‘remarkable talent’

Two-time Formula One (F1) champion Mika Hakkinen paid tribute to former Marussia driver Jules Bianchi, who passed away after the Frenchman had succumbed to the injuries brought about by the accident at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. Hakkinen reckoned Bianchi would have had a flourishing career in the sporting world of motor-racing.

Ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on Aug. 23, Hakkinen personally wrote an entry for the McLaren-Honda blog and used the blog to send a touching message for Bianchi’s family. He also offered his sympathies for the loved ones that the 25-year-old Frenchman had left behind.

“I did not know Jules, but I recognised in him a remarkable talent,” Hakkinen wrote. “He was very quick, and I am sure that, but for his tragic accident at Suzuka last October, he would have enjoyed a long and successful F1 career.”

Bianchi’s car crashed at the Suzuka Circuit during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix. His Marussia collided into a crane that was attending to Sauber’s Adrian Sutil’s vehicle that had gone down previously. Bianchi suffered head injuries from the accident. He was put in a medically-induced coma and stayed at the General Mie Hospital in Yokkaichi, Japan until his condition was stable enough to be transferred to his home town in Nice, France.

The French F1 driver passed away nine months after the catastrophic accident. Bianchi’s family made the announced through a post shared on the F1 driver’s Facebook account. Fellow F1 drivers attended Bianchi’s funeral at the Saint Reparate Cathedral on July 20. A moment of silence was also held at the recently-concluded Hungarian Grand Prix to pay tribute to Bianchi.

In his McLaren-Honda entry, Hakkinen also recalled his duel with Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher at the 2000 Belgian Grand Prix, which he says was his memorable win in his F1 career. He said that the final lap battle with Schumacher was still very clear for him.

Hakkinen also paid homage to Schumacher, one of his greatest rivals. He said that he is “hoping and praying” that Schumacher will recover and that a miracle for the stricken F1 legend will happen.

The Finnish retired F1 driver, who turns 47 in September, won the World Drivers’ Championship in 1998 and 1999. Hakkinen drove for Lotus from 1991 to 1992. He moved to McLaren in 1993 until his retirement from the sport in 2001.

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