Marussia Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi has been taken to hospital unconscious following an accident during the Japanese Grand Prix. The race was red-flagged with nine laps to go when Bianchi went off at Turn 7, where Adrian Sutil had crashed earlier. The Sauber was being recovered by a crane when Bianchi went off. Sutil said Bianchi's car had hit the crane sideways. "The driver is not conscious, he has been sent to the hospital by ambulance because the helicopter cannot go in these conditions," said FIA press officer Matteo Bonciani. "Further updates will follow - for the moment we cannot say anything. We will keep you updated as fast as we can."

UPDATE 3

The following statement is provided by the family of Bianchi, in conjunction with the Mie General Medical Center, and is distributed on their behalf by the Marussia F1 Team.

"This is a very difficult time for our family, but the messages of support and affection for Jules from all over the world have been a source of great comfort to us. We would like to express our sincere appreciation.

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 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.

We are also grateful for the presence of Professor Gerard Saillant, President of the FIA Medical Commission, and Professor Alessandro Frati, Neurosurgeon of the University of Rome La Sapienza, who has travelled to Japan at the request of Scuderia Ferrari. They arrived at the hospital today and met with the medical personnel responsible for Jules' treatment, in order to be fully informed of his clinical status so that they are able to advise the family. Professors Saillant and Frati acknowledge the excellent care being provided by the Mie General Medical Center and would like to thank their Japanese colleagues.

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

According to Wikipedia; "a diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is one of the most common and devastating types of traumatic brain injury, meaning that damage occurs over a more widespread area than in focal brain injury.

"DAI, which refers to extensive lesions in white matter tracts, is one of the major causes of unconsciousness and persistent vegetative state after head trauma. It occurs in about half of all cases of severe head trauma.

"The outcome is frequently coma, with over 90% of patients with severe DAI never regaining consciousness. Those who do wake up often remain significantly impaired."

UPDATE 2: Marussia driver Jules Bianchi remains in a critical condition in intensive care after emergency surgery on the ‘severe’ head injury he suffered during the Japanese GP.

The Frenchman underwent three hours of surgery late on Sunday night after being transported from the Suzuka circuit in an unconscious condition.

Contrary to some reports, he is not breathing unaided.


"We're not getting any official updates from the hospital but I understand that Jules is in a very critical condition, still fighting for his life, and I can clear up a couple of pieces of misinformation which have been picked up by the French media and a couple of outlets in the UK," Sky Sports News HQ's Craig Slater reported at 6am UK Time on Monday morning.

"I can confirm that Jules is not, unfortunately, breathing unaided. My understanding is that he is still relying on a respirator at this point to be able to breathe.

Sauber’s Adrian Sutil crashed at the same corner as Jules Bianchi and feels the race could have been stopped sooner.

"I can also confirm that he has not undergone a second surgical procedure. My understanding is that he went one through one medical procedure at about 11pm Japanese time and he has been intensive care since then."

No further update on Bianchi's condition is expected until his parents arrive at the Mie University Hospital later on Monday.

FYI, Long-time Formula 1 driver Andrea de Cesaris has died in a motorcycle accident in Italy at the age of 55. Italian press reports said de Cesaris was killed instantly in the crash in Rome.

De Cesaris was an F1 regular from 1980 to 1994, getting his first full season with McLaren in '81 after two guest appearances for Alfa Romeo alongside his European Formula 2 season a year earlier.

The 25-year-old Marussia aquaplaned off the track during Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix and hit a tractor that was recovering Adrian Sutil's car following his off at Turn 7.

An ambulance was deployed and the race stopped with Bianchi transported to a local hospital, Mie General Hospital.

The FIA, who initially revealed that he was unconscious throughout, has released an update on his condition.

"The CT scan shows that he has suffered a severe head injury and is currently undergoing surgery," said the FIA.

The statement added that he would be "moved to intensive care after surgery."

Meanwhile, his father reportedly told French TV that his son was in a "critical state."

The Mie General Hospital is set to make an announcement once "further information becomes available."


UPDATE: Jules Bianchi is out of surgery and breathing on his own after suffering "severe head trauma" when he crashed during the rain-affected Japanese GP.

There has been no official word from the hospital as yet with some reports stating that there won't be an official update until Monday.

Sky Sports, though, reported that the "surgery had been completed", which also "ended Ferrari team principal Marco Mattiacci, Williams driver Felipe Massa and Pastor Maldonado's vigil at the Frenchman's bed".

Other reports claimed that all the other drivers on the grid visited the hospital at some stage during the evening.


Meanwhile, his father reportedly told French TV that his son was in a "critical state."

The Mie General Hospital is set to make an announcement once "further information becomes available."