Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc has unveiled a touching helmet design for this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix that is a tribute to the late Jules Bianchi.
Bianchi aquaplaned on a wet Suzuka track during the 2014 race – held in October – and suffered serious injuries, which he would succumb to seven months later.
As a result of the two families’ close relationship, Bianchi was named as Leclerc’s godfather and has been credited with being instrumental in the latter’s career.
Leclerc’s latest helmet is inspired from the design Bianchi used whilst he was racing for Marussia and features the Frenchman’s retired number 17 on the side.
This will be the second occasion that Leclerc has adorned a lid with Bianchi’s colours, with a split design in Monaco 2019 that incorporated his father’s design.
While the Japanese GP has moved to an earlier Spring slot on the F1 calendar this term, the 2024 event will mark the 10th anniversary since Bianchi’s accident.
Speaking earlier prior to the helmet being posted, Leclerc said: “Of course it’s a very special place, and whenever I get here I have somewhere in my mind Jules.
“I obviously think about Jules very often, because he’s been the person that helped me to get there.
“Back in 2010 already he has spoken to Nicolas [Todt], my manager, in order for me to be supported to get to F1. And he’s been the game changer in my career.
“And before that, we have always been extremely, extremely close, and both of our families are still always very close.
“So it’s a very special place to be here. I’ll be having a helmet for him this weekend, and as always, he’s always in my heart, and it’s going to be very important to do well this weekend.”
Pierre Gasly believes that his compatriot served as a role model to budding French drivers wanting to climb the single-seater motorsport ladder to reach the pinnacle.
“Definitely Jules will always be remembered for who he was I think,” Gasly expressed.
“Obviously as a driver, but also just as a human being, he was extremely kind. He was an example for a lot of drivers, but especially in France.
“I remember when were in the French team, like all young drivers, with Anthoine [Hubert], Esteban and many other young kids, we obviously looked up to him as the next big thing in F1, because everyone I think agrees that he would eventually make it to Ferrari.
“It’s definitely very, very sad to remember what happened. He definitely left his mark in F1, and also beyond it, and I will definitely be always remembering him.”
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