Jules Bianchi’s father has said he can no longer watch Formula 1 races because it brings back painful memories following the death of his son in July.
Bianchi collided with a recovery vehicle during the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix and suffered a fatal head injury. He remained in a coma for several months, but passed away earlier this year.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the anniversary of his son’s crash, Philippe Bianchi said he still feels great pain and has to avoid F1 as a result.
“Perhaps in a few months, a few years, I can see again a grand prix, I don’t know, but for the moment, it is too difficult,” he said.
“It’s a difficult moment because it marks one year now that Jules had his crash, and this week is not a good week for the Bianchi family. Jules is missed a lot by all his family, all the fans, all his friends, it is very difficult.”
The Frenchman also admitted he knew months before his son’s death that he would never recover from the injuries he sustained in the crash.
“When the months pass and you see Jules every day the same and you understand at that moment that it’s not possible for him to come back because the damage is too important,” he added.
“The problem when Jules had this crash, I think that his head and his brain were finished, because he had too much damage in his brain.
“You have two things – the neurological and the physical – and Jules had a very big physical presence, and I think he stayed in life because physically he is very strong.
“I think that Jules is with me now but it’s difficult because he phoned me and his mother every day, and now it is one year that I can’t speak with Jules and his mother can’t speak with him.
“And for nine months I can’t touch him and can’t give him a kiss. But Jules was a very good boy, he was very near his family, and it’s terrible.”
Philippe Bianchi added that he plans to start a foundation in memory of Jules to help younger racers work their way up the motorsport ladder.
“I want to make a foundation to help young drivers perhaps in go-kart who don’t have money and who need some people to give them experience.
“I speak with a lot of drivers in Formula 1 and am sure that they want to help me because I think that all the drivers are very touched by this dramatic incident and I know that I have a lot of people beside me who want to help – the sponsors and the drivers of Formula 1,” he said.
“I’m sure I can make something good for Jules. It’s important now because Jules is not here, but it’s difficult because he is missed a lot.”
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