SUMMARY
- Pierre Gasly commemorates Jules Bianchi's legacy on his 2024 helmet.
- Gasly's tribute reflected on his deep bond with Bianchi and respect for #17.
Years after the untimely demise of Jules Bianchi in 2014, Alpine driver Pierre Gasly has taken it upon himself to preserve his legacy. Formula 1 has been notorious for some of the most brutal accidents in the history of sports which have resulted in fatalities. Sometime ahead of the 21st century, F1 mourned the death of the legendary driver Ayrton Senna in 1994 due to an on-track accident.
However, the dawn of technology has minimized the arrival of gruesome accidents. Yet, in 2014, tragedy struck again. During the Japanese Grand Prix, Jules Bianchi, a budding prodigy in F1, crashed into a recovery truck in dangerous conditions while the Safety Car was out. Every driver experienced fear when the organization took a severe blow, illustrating how swiftly things can go awry.
It has been almost 10 years ever since that dreaded accident yet Gasly is giving it all to keep Bianchi’s memory alive.
Pierre Gasly honors Jules Bianchi on the 2024 helmet
Apart from Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s close relationship with the late French driver, Gasly had a special connection with him as well. Ever since their karting days, the two fellow countrymen have been good friends. But 28-year-old Gasly decided to take a step ahead in order to remember Bianchi in the 2024 season. His stunning blue helmet had the initials ‘JB17’.
Pierre always making sure to have Jules on his helmet🩵 pic.twitter.com/E2nZVAa5XV
— lau (@pierregaslayy) February 8, 2024
A few days ago Alpine launched their 2024 livery with a fresh makeover. While drivers get to choose their helmets and give a customized touch to them, Gasly sneakily added the initials of his dear friend. After the tragic death of Bianchi, F1 decided to not allow drivers to take up the #17 number out of respect. This number will forever be owned by the late Ferrari driver.
Gasly’s near-death experience evokes Bianchi’s memories
In the Japanese Grand Prix of 2022, Pierre Gasly found himself gripped by a harrowing experience during the race’s outset. The race started off under tumultuous conditions, with rain wreaking havoc and near zero visibility on Suzuka Circuit. Adding to the chaos, an advertising board came in contact with Gasly’s car, forcing him to pit as the safety car came out.
What the fuck was that tractor/crane doing there? Is this some twisted joke after what happened to Jules Bianchi in the same conditions, on the same track 8 years ago? Pierre Gasly out of all people… Get your shit together @fia!
I’M FURIOUS! #JapaneseGPpic.twitter.com/RUAeRcLQcM
— 𝑅. (@MissMysticBitch) October 9, 2022
Gasly, adhering to safety protocols, maintained his pace behind the safety car. However, the driver was very upset regarding the safety standards of F1. He later said, “We lost Jules eight years ago in similar conditions with a crane on track in the gravel. I don’t understand how eight years later in similar conditions we can still see a crane, not even on the gravel but on the racing line.”
The 28-year-old went on to add, “It is just not respectful towards Jules, towards his family, towards his loved ones and all of us. It was a dramatic incident, and I think on that day we learned we don’t want to see any tractors in this kind of condition.” Just after the race stopped with a red flag, Gasly narrowly missed hitting a recovery vehicle on the track, evoking haunting memories of the 2014 incident.
