Bianchi believed to be ‘critical’ after crash

Jules Bianchi

(GMM) Jules Bianchi's condition may be "critical" in the wake of his race-ending accident in the Japanese grand prix.

Initially, it was believed the Marussia driver was not transported to the nearby Mie hospital by helicopter because it could not fly in the conditions.

But it is rumored Frenchman Bianchi was in fact taken by ambulance with a police escort due to the apparent nature of his head injuries.

The driver steward at Suzuka, Mika Salo, has reported that the 25-year-old went nose-first into and underneath the trackside vehicle that was recovering Adrian Sutil's crashed car.

The Finn said Bianchi received a "hard blow" to the head.

FIA spokesman Matteo Bonciani has not issued an update since confirming that Bianchi is unconscious.

The entire world of F1 is very worried, as many routine press conferences were cancelled and press releases focused almost exclusively on Bianchi's health.

Bianchi's friends Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, as well as bosses for Marussia and Ferrari, have travelled the 15 kilometers to the hospital to be with him.

Japanese police have already visited both the scene of the crash and the FIA garage where the remains of Bianchi's car is located.

Lewis Hamilton told reporters he could see from his cockpit vantage point after the incident that Bianchi's car was "really badly damaged".

Champagne was not sprayed on the podium, and it is believed Marussia team members and Bianchi's manager Nicolas Todt were initially denied access to the medical centre.

"It probably looks critical," Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko reportedly told German television Sky. "We hope for the best for Jules Bianchi."

Sutil witnessed the crash and the aftermath and confirmed: "The situation with Bianchi is critical. I hope he is in good hands.

"I was standing right next to it. Out of respect for Jules I don't want to say any more."

F1 and the governing FIA are already being criticized for letting the race go ahead in treacherous conditions amid the looming typhoon Phanfone.

Mercedes' Niki Lauda said: "Motor racing is dangerous. We get used to it if nothing happens and then suddenly we're all surprised.

"They could have started earlier, there is no question about it — in the end that would have been better."