A former teammate and close friend has given an emotional tribute to Jules Bianchi after the Frenchman's death.

The 25 year old died nine months after suffering severe head injuries in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

Sam Bird, who is a Formula E driver for Virgin Racing, said he "looks forward to racing with Jules in my heart, with Jules looking down on me".

Jules Bianchi had been in a coma following the accident, and is the first driver to be killed since Ayrton Senna in 1994.

"Honestly right now my heart goes out to Philippe his dad, and his mum and his brother and sister," said Sam Bird, " because they have been through hell for the past nine months."