Teammate Chilton: "Bianchi's death hit me hard"

  • Published on 02 Feb 2016 11:36
  • comments 1
  • By: Rob Veenstra

Despite two recent tragedies, former F1 driver Max Chilton is pressing ahead with his career in motor racing. Chilton was the late Jules Bianchi's teammate at Marussia when the Frenchman suffered his ultimately fatal crash at Suzuka in late 2014.

The Briton says he still "cannot watch" the footage of the incident. "Jules' death hit me hard," Chilton told Britain's Sun newspaper. "Our car was the least performing car on that grid - the least amount of downforce - and I had a moment on that corner. It could have been either of us."

Now, 24-year-old Chilton is moving to America's premier open wheeler series Indycar, where last year fellow Briton Justin Wilson lost his life. "When I was making my decision (between Indycar teams for 2016), Justin had his fatal accident at the same time," said Chilton, "which made it ten times harder. But I just kept telling myself that it could have happened anytime. It was just like Jules -- a freak accident."

He has signed with the top team Ganassi, having served his apprenticeship in Indy Lights last year. "It is very exciting," said Chilton. "I never thought it would happen. I was like 99 per cent of other drivers where F1 was always my goal. I remember all those times where I said that I would never race in Indycar because it never appealed to me, but it was a case of never say never. Life changes," he added. (GMM)

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • Pompey

    Posts: 84

    Go Max!! Keep the British flag flying in the Indy series.

    • + 0
    • Feb 2 2016 - 23:33

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar