Video: Formula 1 stops for a minute’s silence in emotional tribute to the late Jules Bianchi

VIDEO: Watch as Formula 1’s drivers stand as one with Jules Bianchi’s family to honour the late Frenchman’s memory on the Hungarian GP grid.

Jerome Pugmire

2 min read

July 27, 2015 - 8:00AM

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 26: Jules Bianchi's brother Tom Bianchi and sister Melanie Bianchi observe a minute's silence with their father Philippe Bianchi, mother Christine Bianchi and the drivers as they form a huddle around the drivers' helmets, including the late driver's, on the grid before the Formula One Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on July 26, 2015 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***

A POIGNANT minute’s silence was held in honor of Jules Bianchi before the start of the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, with drivers forming a ring and placing their race helmets on the ground.

Bianchi’s mother Christine and father Philippe, brother Tom and sister Melanie were asked by the drivers to join them in the ring as they all linked arms on the Hungaroring grid to remember Bianchi.

The French driver died last week from injuries sustained in a head-on crash at the Japanese Grand Prix last October.

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Drivers have worn tributes such as “Ciao Jules” or “JB 17” - Bianchi’s initials and car number - this weekend as part of tributes to Bianchi, who was 25.

Several drivers shook hands or hugged the Bianchi family, who were invited to the circuit by Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

Philippe Bianchi embraces Fernando Alonso.

Brazilian driver Felipe Massa, visibly shaken, had his right arm tightly wrapped around the shoulder of Bianchi’s father, while two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso - who grew close to Bianchi when the Frenchman was a Ferrari test driver - gazed into the distance thoughtfully as a singer performed a remembrance song.

Track marshals, crowd observe minute’s silence for Bianchi.

Assembled together in a thick line of red-suited bodies, Bianchi’s Manor Marussia team stood behind a big sign which simply read “We Miss You Jules.”

Today, and every day, #F1 remembers Jules Bianchi. #CiaoJules #JB17 http://t.co/b87QR6qspA pic.twitter.com/NM8tigifk1
â€” Formula 1 (@F1) July 26, 2015

The only sound to be heard, apart from the solemn strains of the small group of musicians, was the flutter of a helicopter overhead draping the Hungarian flag over the assembled group of mourners.

After the impeccably observed silence, fans broke out into loud and sustained applause.

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Moments after winning the race, an emotional Sebastian Vettel dedicated his 41st career win to Bianchi.

“Incredible day, but this victory is for Jules,” Vettel said. “We know it has been an incredibly tough week, and for all of us very difficult, so this one is for him.

“(It’s been tough for) all the people in Ferrari ... we knew that sooner or later he would have been part of our team, part of this family. Cette victoire, c’est pour Jules.”

Red Bull drivers Daniil Kvyat, who was second, and Daniel Ricciardo, who was third, also said their first podium finishes of the season were for Bianchi.

Bianchi was touted for great things after progressing through the ranks of the famed Ferrari academy, and Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne joined in the tributes.

“We dedicate this victory to the memory of Jules Bianchi, a fantastic guy whom we all miss terribly,” Marchionne said in a statement.