The driver from Nice, Jules Bianchi, will participate in his first Formula 1 Grand Prix in his career with Marussia. At 23, the Azuréen is expected, like Charles Pic last year with the same team, to learn from more experienced drivers. The man from Nice finishes in a very respectable 15th place for a first F1 GP.
There are now four Frenchmen racing on the 19 circuits of the Formula 1 World Championship. The first three are well known to the general public. Romain Grosjean with Lotus, with great performances last year including three podiums in Bahrain, Canada, and Hungary, Jean-Éric Vergne (Toro Rosso), and Charles Pic (Caterham). The new addition, much less so. Jules Bianchi completes this fine quartet. The 23-year-old Nice native enters the big leagues alongside Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button, and Mark Webber.
But it is only a fair reward for the Azuréen. Test driver for Scuderia Ferrari in 2011, replacing Lucas Badoer, the young driver accumulates experience with one of the best manufacturers. The Italian team sees in him a future hope of Formula 1 and he becomes the first driver of the “young drivers” program. Force India gives him a good opportunity by making him the third driver on January 27, 2012. He was supposed to get a seat but Adrian Sutil, more established, joined the team and blocked his way to the main event.
Last year, Jules Bianchi competed in Formula Renault 3.5, finishing second in the Championship. He should have won the title but was eliminated during the final Grand Prix. Marussia found their new driver and formalized his contract two weeks ago after terminating Brazilian Luiz Razia’s contract due to lack of sponsors. However, one should not expect Jules Bianchi on the podiums. Like Charles Pic last year with the same car, he is there to learn. His main objective will be to finish the Grand Prix races to further fine-tune his seat (car), which may still be somewhat uncompetitive.
A promising first weekend
19th in the first two practice sessions (out of 22 participants), and 14th in the third, ahead of Jenson Button and Pastor Maldonado, no less. The driver from Nice successfully completed his first day. On Saturday morning, the Qualifying took place (1). Just as the first drivers were entering the track, the rain arrived on the Melbourne circuit. The organizers had to postpone them to Sunday morning at 11 am local time (1 am Paris time) before the race. A rather rare occurrence, if not unprecedented, in Formula 1.
Jules Bianchi starts from the 10th row in 19th position and finishes 15th in the Australian Grand Prix, won by Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen. He places ahead of the Caterhams and his teammate at Marussia, Max Chilton. A first Grand Prix full of promise.
