Jules Bianchi dies from injuries sustained in 2014 crash

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2014 file photo, Marussia driver Jules Bianchi of France waves during drivers' parade before the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan. His family says Bianchi has died from head injuries sustained in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix. The news was posted on Bianchi's official Twitter feed early Saturday morning, July 18, 2015 French time and later confirmed by the Manor F1 team. Bianchi, 25, had been in a coma since the Oct. 5 accident, in which he collided at high speed with a mobile crane which was being used to pick up another crashed car. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File) FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2014 file photo, Marussia driver Jules Bianchi of France waves during drivers' parade before the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan. His family says Bianchi has died from head injuries sustained in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix. The news was posted on Bianchi's official Twitter feed early Saturday morning, July 18, 2015 French time and later confirmed by the Manor F1 team. Bianchi, 25, had been in a coma since the Oct. 5 accident, in which he collided at high speed with a mobile crane which was being used to pick up another crashed car. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File)

By Associated Press July 18, 2015 4 min read

French Formula One driver Jules Bianchi died early Saturday from head injuries sustained in a crash at last year’s Japanese Grand Prix.

The Bianchi family issued a statement which was posted on his official Twitter feed and later confirmed by the Manor F1 team.

Bianchi, 25, had been in a coma since the Oct. 5 accident, in which he collided at high speed with a mobile crane which was being used to pick up another crashed car.

The family statement said “Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end. The pain we feel is immense and indescribable.”

Bianchi competed in 34 races over the 2013 and 2014 seasons, scoring the first ever championship points for Manor – then known as Marussia – by finishing ninth at last year’s Monaco Grand Prix.