Suzuka, Japan (SportsNetwork.com) - Marussia driver Jules Bianchi underwent emergency surgery after suffering a serious head injury during an accident in the closing laps of Sunday's rain-soaked Japanese Grand Prix.
Bianchi, a 25-year-old Frenchman, slid off course and collided with a recovery vehicle that was removing Adrian Sutil's car after the Sauber driver had went off course and slammed hard into the barrier in turn 7. The safety car was immediately deployed following Bianchi's crash, and the race was cut nine laps short of its 53-lap distance. Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes won the race.
F1's governing body, the FIA, released a statement regarding Bianchi's condition, saying, "The CT scan shows that he has suffered a severe head injury and is currently undergoing surgery. Following this he will be moved to intensive care where he will be monitored."
The FIA also explained the incident in detail, stating, "On lap 42, Adrian Sutil lost control of his car, spun and hit the tire barrier on the outside of turn 7. The marshals displayed double waved yellow flags before the corner to warn drivers of the incident. A recovery vehicle was dispatched in order to lift the car and take it to a place of safety behind the guard rail. While this was being done the driver of car 17, Jules Bianchi, lost control of his car, traveled across the run-off area and hit the back of the tractor.
"Once the marshals reported that the driver was injured, medical teams were dispatched and the safety car was deployed. These were followed by an extrication team and an ambulance. The driver was removed from the car, taken to the circuit medical center and then by ambulance to Mie General Hospital."
Sutil was not injured during the incident.
"I had aquaplaned on this corner as it rained more and more and the stability got less," Sutil said. "One lap later with the waved yellow flags, Jules came around and had the same spin there, and that was it. It was more or less the same crash, but the outcome was different. The car came out to rescue my car, and it all happened."
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