Jules Bianchi's family launch legal action against Formula One chiefs after fatal accident

Jules Bianchi's family have announced they are to take legal action following the Frenchman's death in 2015. The 25-year-old driver passed away after suffering fatal head injuries when his car collided with a mobile crane at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2014.

Lawyers acting on behalf of the Bianchi family are planning litigation proceedings against Team Marussia, for whom he was driving, and the Formula One Group of companies who deal with the TV and media rights. They are also launching legal action against the sport's governing body and have alleged that one or more of the parties may have contributed to the fatal accident.

Indeed, the family allege that errors made in the "planning, timing, organisation and conduct of the race" contributed towards Bianchi's death, adding that the Grand Prix "took place in dangerous conditions during the typhoon season in Japan".

"We seek justice for Jules and want to establish the truth about the decisions that led to our son's crash," said Bianchi's father Philippe, according to the BBC. "We have so many unanswered questions and feel that Jules' accident and death could have been avoided if a series of mistakes had not been made."

Meanwhile, lawyer Julian Chamberlayne claimed safety errors led to Bianchi's death. "The FIA Panel Inquiry Report into this accident made numerous recommendations to improve safety in Formula One but failed to identify where errors had been made which led to Jules' death," he explained.

"It was surprising and distressing to the Bianchi family that the FIA panel in its conclusions, whilst noting a number of contributing factors, blamed Jules. The Bianchi family are determined that this legal process should require those involved to provide answers and to take responsibility for any failings.

"This is important if current and future drivers are to have confidence that safety in the sport will be put first. If this had been the case in Suzuka, Jules Bianchi would most likely still be alive and competing in the sport he loved today."

Bianchi died nine months after he crashed into the recovery vehicle at Suzuka and in doing so, became the first Formula One driver to die as a result of injuries sustained at a race weekend since three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, who was fatally injured at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.