Jules Bianchi's father says his son 'will not give up' his fight for life in hospital

Jules Bianchi’s father has spoken of his family's anguish as their son continues to fight for his life in hospital, saying that while the situation remains “desperate” the young Frenchman “will not give up”.

Bianchi has now been in the intensive care unit at Mie General Hospital in Yokkaichi in Japan for nine days after suffering serious injuries to his brain when his Marussia car collided with a recovery truck in a horrific accident in the rain-hit Japanese GP on October 5.

At the request of the Bianchi family, the Marussia team on Tuesday issued the first official update on the 25-year-old’s condition for exactly a week and confirmed the Frenchman’s ‘critical but stable’ condition was unchanged.

The statement added that the situation remained “challenging” given the diffuse axonal brain injury Bianchi has sustained.

“The past nine days have been extremely difficult for Jules and his family,” the Marussia statement read.

“As a consequence of the accident at Suzuka, a number of medical challenges have needed to be overcome and the situation remains challenging due to the diffuse axonal traumatic brain injury Jules has sustained.

“Jules remains in a critical but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit of Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi.”

Marussia with a tribute to Jules Bianchi in Russia

The Marussia statement added that the Bianchi family had been touched by the messages of support from the F1 paddock at last weekend’s Russian GP.

“The Bianchi family continue to be comforted by the thoughts and prayers of Jules’ many fans and the motor sport community. In particular, the many demonstrations of support and affection during the course of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi were of enormous comfort to Jules’ parents and the relatives and friends also present at the hospital," the statement continued.

“The family will provide further medical updates when appropriate.”

On Monday night, Bianchi’s father, Philippe, spoke to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport about his son’s ongoing fight for life.

“The situation is desperate,” Philippe said. "Every time the telephone goes we know it could be the hospital to tell us Jules is dead. He will not give up, I'm sure of that. I can see it. I believe it.''

Marussia's Graeme Lowdon thanked everyone for their support for Jules Bianchi and explained their decision to race this weekend with one driver. Marussia's Graeme Lowdon thanked everyone for their support for Jules Bianchi and explained their decision to race this weekend with one driver.

The Bianchi family have remained by their 25-year-old son’s bedside since flying to Japan from their home in France the day after the accident.

"I speak to him. I know he can hear me,” Philippe continued. "His doctors have told us this is already a miracle, no-one has ever survived such a serious accident. But Jules won't give up.

"His trainer Andrea (Ferrari) says if there is one person who can make it happen, with his will, it's Jules.”

Bianchi’s father said that the family were “living a nightmare in a place very far from home” and remained in an undefined period of waiting.

"Everyone keeps asking me how Jules is, but I can't reply, there is no answer. It's very serious, but he's stable,” he added.

"One day he seems a bit better, other days a bit worse. The doctors don't say. The damage from the accident is very bad, but we don't know how it will evolve.''

The F1 world has united in support of Bianchi since the accident and at last weekend's Russian GP drivers and teams ran with messages of support to the Frenchman, while the drivers also held their own tribute at the front of the grid before the race.

"So many people have written to me, I will reply," Philippe said. "(Jean-Eric) Vergne, (Fernando) Alonso, (Felipe) Massa have had strong thoughts. (Lewis) Hamilton sent a lovely email saying if he could do anything he was there for us."