» Drivers show support for Bianchi

The Formula 1 drivers willy rally together at this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix and don stickers on their race helmets as a show of support for Jules Bianchi.

The Marussia driver suffered critical head injuries in a freak collision with a recovery crane during the closing stages of the Japanese Grand Prix last weekend. The Frenchman remains in a ‘critical but stable’ condition at the Mie General Medical Center’s intensive care unit in Japan after undergoing an emergency three-hour operation.

His compatriot, Toro Rosso driver Jean-Éric Vergne, has asked that his fellow drivers apply special stickers to their helmets for this weekend’s event at Sochi Autodrom; the stickers will also be distributed to the drivers competing in the feeder GP2 and GP3 Series’.

Bianchi’s fellow F1 drivers are sporting ‘Tous Avec Jules #17’ decals on their race helmets this weekend. Image copyright RichardsF1.com

For all drivers, yesterday’s arrival in the state-of-the-art Sochi paddock did not witness their usual cheer. Most found the accident and its aftermath too difficult to talk about, and those who did steered clear of further media sensationalism by speculating as to the cause or possible ramifications.