Jules Bianchi was destined for a seat at Ferrari once Kimi Raikkonen’s contract had ended according to former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo.
The Frenchman passed away on Friday after spending nine months in hospital following a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix, when his helmet struck a recovery vehicle.
He had been a member of Ferrari’s junior academy programme and regularly tested for the team, most recently at the post-British GP test just three months before his crash.
Di Montezemolo, whilst paying tribute to the 25-year-old, spoke of his potential and Ferrari’s plans for his future, which included a full-time race seat with the Scuderia.
“Jules Bianchi was one of us, he was a member of the Ferrari family and was the racing driver we had chosen for the future, once the collaboration with Kimi Raikkonen came to an end,” the Italian, who vacated his position at Ferrari in September, told Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.
“The Suzuka crash has taken away from us a top guy, reserved, quick, very polite, extremely attached to Ferrari, one who could work and interact well with the technicians too; therefore, we lose a driver with a certain future.”
Ferrari helped Bianchi secure a seat in F1 with customer team Marussia, but prior to that he won the Formula 3 Euro title, finished second in his maiden Renault 3.5 season and took third during both years he competed in GP2, all with Ferrari’s support.
Di Montezemolo therefore feels great sadness having known Bianchi and having coached him and supported him for many years.
“With us, he climbed every step in racing until his F1 debut with Marussia with Ferrari power,” he add. “We cared a lot for this boy, you could already glimpse his talent for racing.
“He would be the one driving for Ferrari after the experience in GP2 and after some fine performances in F1 and in some tests that had our technicians very impressed.
“A bitter destiny has instead taken him away from us, leaving an indelible mark and a great pain inside.
“I feel strongly for his family, who over such difficult months has shown courage and dignity.
“And I also feel for his many friends at Ferrari. We have lost an exceptional guy. And we will remember him forever with great affection.”
