Philippe Bianchi (L) and Christine Bianchi  (R), parents of French Formula One driver Jules Bianchi, walk out of the Mie General Medical Centre in Yokkaichi where their son is hospitalised  after suffering severe head injuries in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix on October 5.

DPA/Berlin

Jules Bianchi remains in a critical but stable conditions over head injuries sustained in a crash at the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix, his family said in a statement yesterday.

Bianchi’s family also said in the statement issued by his Marussia team that they appreciate they worldwide messages of support after he crashed into a recovery vehicle during Sunday’s race on a wet Suzuka course.

News reports said that Jean Todt, president of the ruling body FIA, has requested a report on the incident from race director Charlie Whiting before Sunday’s inaugural Russian Grand Prix, and that Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone wants an external probe into the accident.

“Jules remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi. He has suffered a diffuse axonal injury and is in a critical but stable condition,” the family statement said.

“The medical professionals at the hospital are providing the very best treatment and care and we are grateful for everything they have done for Jules since his accident.

 “The hospital will continue to monitor and treat Jules and further medical updates will be provided when appropriate.”

Bianchi lost control of his car late in Sunday’s race in rainy conditions and crashed into the recovery vehicle which was in the run-off area to lift the Sauber of Adrian Sutil away which had crashed a lap earlier. Sutil said he slid off because of aquaplaning.

Ecclestone told The Times that an independent probe should determine what happened and how such incidents can be avoided in the future.

“It’s difficult for me to say what happened and it will be for an inquiry to find out exactly what did go on,” Ecclestone said, adding that a lot had been done for safety in the sport since the last F1 fatalities: Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix weekend in Imola.

“We have done so much for safety ... I have always said that if I was going to have an accident, it would be in a Formula One car because they are the safest in the world. But things happen and we have to find out the cause. This happened to a young man who is very close to us all and that has caused a terrible shock for everyone.”

Bianchi’s crash has led to suggestions that the safety car should have been out earlier in deteriorating conditions, with Williams driver Felipe Massa saying he was “screaming” for several laps that driving was unsafe.

The race started behind the safety car, was red-flagged after two laps, and saw eight more laps under safety car conditions. Yellow flags were waved after Sutil’s crash, the safety car deployed after Bianchi’s crash, the race then red-flagged again and not resumed.

Alexander Wurz, chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, asked drivers to refrain from public statements and wait for the results of the investigation.

“Obviously, such a terrible accident throws up a lot of questions and opinions. By nature, we all like to have answers, conclusions and solutions as soon as possible. All of us drivers understand and also feel the need to investigate and discuss this matter,” he was quoted by autosport.com as saying.

“But we shall not jump to conclusions without having all evidence and information, and also having the chance to hear other parties’ point of view.”

“I recommend to all the drivers to refrain from a public discussion.  Any such discussions and the pursuit of solutions shall be done in a closed circle to ensure respect and privacy for Jules’s family, but equally to ensure this analytical process can be done in its best way.”

“Our thoughts are with Jules and his family,” Wurz said as Bianchi’s parents were joined in Japan by the driver’s manager Nicolas Todt (Jean Todt’s son) and French surgeon Gerard Saillant, head of the FIA medical commission, who was also involved in the treatment of record world champion Michael Schumacher after his life-threatening ski accident in December.

“We are also grateful for the presence of Professor Gerard Saillant and Professor Alessandro Frati, Neurosurgeon of the University of Rome La Sapienza, who has travelled to Japan at the request of Scuderia Ferrari,” the Bianchi family statement said.