You have to wonder what the hell the FIA was thinking this time around. The Japanese Grand Prix was held today even though a typhoon made its way on shore.
Well, unfortunately, a driver is now fighting for his life after participating in the day's event.
According to reports coming to us from abroad, it turns out that Adrian Sutil of another Formula One team went off the track and was in the process of having a tractor remove his vehicle when Jules Bianchi's F1 car went off at the exact same location. From what we can tell from the limited pictures and video of the incident on the web, it seems pretty clear that Bianchi's car crashed into the back of the tractor that was in the process of removing Sutil's wrecked ride.
According to reports, FIA is not releasing video of the accident, but from the photos I've seen it appears to have been a very bad incident.
Here is the official statement from FIA regarding the incident:
On lap 42, Adrian Sutil lost control of his car, spun and hit the tyre barrier on the outside of Turn 7. The marshals displayed double waved yellow flags before the corner to warn drivers of the incident. A recovery vehicle was dispatched in order to lift the car and take it to a place of safety behind the guardrail. While this was being done the driver of car 17, Jules Bianchi, lost control of his car, travelled across the run-off area and hit the back of the tractor.
Once the marshals reported that the driver was injured, medical teams were dispatched and the Safety Car was deployed. These were followed by an extrication team and an ambulance.
The driver was removed from the car, taken to the circuit medical centre and then by ambulance to Mie General Hospital.
The CT scan shows that he has suffered a severe head injury and he is currently undergoing surgery. Following this he will be moved to intensive care where he will be monitored
Mie General Hospital will issue an update as soon as further information becomes available.
Matteo Bonciani,
Formula One Head of Communications & Media Delegate
Our thoughts are with Bianchi and his family.
Marussia driver Jules Bianchi underwent emergency surgery for a "severe head injury" after crashing in the closing stages of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix......With nine laps of the scheduled 53 remaining, the race was under a red flag after Adrian Sutil of Sauber crashed at turn eight of the Suzuka circuit...
...As Sutil's car was being recovered, Bianchi's Marussia careered off at the same place, ploughing into the truck which was being used to remove Sutil's car...
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