Jenson Button, who finished a fine fourth, explained the mentality of the
drivers in “horrific” situations such as these.
“In the car you don’t think about anything but racing,” the Englishman said.
“It was the same with my dad: before the race, after the race, national
anthems, it’s horrific.
“But when you put on the helmet and get in the car and you are racing, it is a
nice place to be because you are in another world. On the grid was emotional
for everyone and we, the drivers, had our little time together. We were
there for Jules. Then getting back into the car was the trickiest bit.
“Every driver feels the same pain but when we get into the car and close our
visors we get on with it. It is good we drive our hearts out and put on a
good show.”
Bianchi’s Marussia team would have been hoping for a more fruitful race to
cheer the mood. Sadly, Chilton’s outing ended on lap 10 with a mechanical
failure.
Initial reports had suggested he parked the car early because of the traumas
of this week, but Graeme Lowdon, Marussia’s sporting director, scotched such
suggestions.
“That was a bit of a misunderstanding,” Lowdon said. “He felt a problem with
the car at the front. There was a strong vibration, and he couldn’t work out
what the problem was.”
Chilton said: “After an incredibly tough week for everyone in the team, we all
deserved so much more from today’s race. It hasn’t been an easy day, far
from it, and all the guys have had to dig deep to get us to the grid. When
we got there of course, it was very emotional with all the support for Jules.
“Somehow we need to find the strength to regroup and move forward, which is
hard to contemplate right now.”
The team will now take stock before the next grand prix in Austin in three
weeks’ time, with Lowdon returning to their factory in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
John Booth, the team principal, remains in Yokkaichi at Bianchi’s bedside,
but may return home, with Lowdon filling his place. Lowdon said that they
would do whatever best suits Bianchi’s family.
Marussia ran just one car in Sochi, as a mark of respect for Bianchi’s family.
However, with a vital ninth place in the constructors’ championship to hold
on to, it seems inevitable that they will run two cars in the final three
races of the F1 season, with Sauber and Caterham breathing down their necks.