Ex-Formula 1 driver Bianchi remembered on 5th death anniversary

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – Jules Bianchi, a former Formula 1 driver, passed away in 2015 after a longtime coma. Friday marks fifth anniversary of his death.

Formula 1 and its several teams commemorated Bianchi on social media.

"On this day five years ago, we tragically lost Jules Bianchi. Never forget," UK-based Formula 1 team Williams Racing said on its Twitter handle.

Meanwhile Formula 1 shared Bianchi's photo on the official social media account and said "Forever remembered".

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and Mercedes-AMG F1 teams replied to the Formula 1 post with a heart emoji each.

"Five years. We miss you, Jules... #CiaoJules," Italian team Scuderia Ferrari tweeted.

Another Formula 1 team, McLaren shared Bianchi's photo on Twitter and said "Remembering Jules".

- 2014 smashing crash

Bianchi was an active driver in 2013-2014 and competed for the Marussia F1 team, a defunct car manufacturer.

During the rain-hit 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, Bianchi lost control of his car which hurtled off the track and hit the back of a recovery vehicle used to tow away Sauber F1 team driver Adrian Sutil's car, which had hit the barriers.

The French national went into a coma after he was involved in the serious accident at the Suzuka circuit in October 2014.

Following the crash, Bianchi suffered from a brain injury, specifically called "diffuse axonal injury".

Bianchi died in a hospital in Nice, France in 2015. He was 25.

The international automobile federation FIA retired Bianchi's number 17 from Formula 1 championships to honor him.

Bianchi did not have any win or make podium in his two season Formula 1 career.

- Senna, Villeneuve killed in racing accidents

The decease of Bianchi brought to mind notable deaths in this competition such as Ayrton Senna and Gilles Villeneuve.

Formula 1 legend Senna from Brazil died on May 1, 1994 at the age of 34 after a crash in the Italian town of Imola.

Senna won the 1988, 1990 and 1991 world championships, and is still regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the Formula 1 history.

An ex-Canadian racing driver for Scuderia Ferrari, Villeneuve, 32, was killed in a crash during the Belgian Grand Prix qualifying session held in Circuit Zolder on May 8, 1982.

The 1979 Formula 1 World Championship runner-up, Villeneuve was active in 1977-1982. He won six Grands Prix in this period.

Villeneuve was one of the most beloved drivers of Formula 1.

Following his death, the Canadian Grand Prix circuit was renamed the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in the province of Quebec to pay tribute to the former Ferrari driver.