Sunday 17 March 2013

In the spotlight: Jules Bianchi

Jules Bianchi has been under the Formula 1 spotlight for a couple of seasons now. Part of the Ferrari young driver progamme, test and reserve driver for the Italian giants during the 2011 season and loaned to Sahara Force India to be their reserve driver during the 2012 season.
Now Jules Bianchi starts the next chapter in his Formula 1 career as he has joined Marussia F1 for the 2013 season. He partners British driver Max Chilton after only securing the race seat in the last pre season testing after Luiz Razia's contract was terminated.

Jules Bianchi driving for Marussia.
The 2013 Formula 1 season and Bianchi's debut race weekend kicked off down in under in Australia. FP1 saw a strong start for the Frenchman, setting his quickest time of 1.32.263. Finishing ahead of not only his team but both Caterhams as well.
The time he posted was only three tenths slower than the Toro Rosso of Daniel Ricciardo.

FP2 got underway on Friday afternoon and Jules Bianchi again finished ahead of Marussia team mate Max Chilton and both Caterhams of Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde. This time Bianchi was only three tenths off from the time set by the Williams of Valtteri Bottas.

In a rain soddened FP3 Jules Bianchi clocked in a time which left him 14th on the timing sheets ahead of both McLaren's.

Bianchi's debut qualifying session was interrupted due to the heavy showers, but he made sure that didn't stop him, and he out qualified his team and both Caterhams, adding to the already successful weekend.
Jules Bianchi started the Australian Grand Prix 15th on the grid. His first Formula 1 race saw him dominate in the battle at the back of field, topping off a positive weekend for the young Frenchman.

Exciting times lie ahead for Jules Bianchi with Marussia. He's a young, talented, up and coming driver who will be using this Formula 1 season to his full advantage, to show the rest of the grid he has what it takes to make it in the sport.

Malaysia is next up on the Formula 1 calendar. Can Jules Bianchi and Marussia follow up the success from Australia and take it with them to the Sepang International Circuit?