Formula 1: Farewell to Jules Bianchi

Jules Bianchi died a week ago, as he failed to regain conscience due to the brain injuries he sustained at the Japanese Grand Prix in October 2014. He was laid to rest in his home city of Nice on Tuesday; his family and a number of current Formula 1 drivers paid final emotional farewell at Nice Cathedral.

Bianchi was the first F1 driver to die as a result of injuries sustained at a grand prix event, since Ayrton Senna was killed while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.

The 25 - year old Frenchman lost control of his Marussia nine months ago, during the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka; the track conditions were wet and treacherous when he collided with a 6.8 tonne recovery vehicle at 78mph, suffering horrific impact and injuries to his head.

Bianchi was hospitalised in Yokkaichi, in Japan, where he underwent emergency surgery and was put into an induced coma. His survival was described as a miracle and his condition, while in Japan, remained critical but stable. In November 2014 he was transferred to the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire in Nice, where he remained in a critical condition and unconscious, but closer to his family.

Following the accident, a report on investigation stated that Bianchi failed to slow down sufficiently under double yellow flag. Formula 1 are looking to improve safety and will possibly introduce closed cockpits to protect the drivers' heads.

Lewis Hamilton, who together with other drivers paid an emotional tribute to the Frenchman in Nice on Tuesday, believes that Formula 1 faces a challenging future after Bianchi's tragic death.

The racing drivers return to action this weekend, as the Hungarian Grand Prix hosts the final race before the four-week summer break. The race will be dedicated to the Frenchman and there will be a minute's silence before Sunday's start. Many drivers walked around the Hungarian circuit this week wearing Bianchi's race number of 17, as part of their tribute.