NICE, France (AP) — Family, friends and colleagues paid homage to Jules Bianchi in his French hometown on Tuesday, as tributes mount for the Formula One driver who died of head injuries from a crash during last year’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Bianchi died Friday after being in a coma for nine months.
Solemn applause resonated as the family took the casket inside Sainte Reparate Cathedral. Church bells sounded during the funeral.
Attendees included executives from the Manor-Marussia team, FIA President Jean Todt and his son Nicolas, Bianchi’s manager. Formula One drivers including Romain Grosjean and Felipe Massa were also present.
Bianchi was the first driver to die of injuries sustained in an F1 race since Ayrton Senna was killed at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
