Francesco Cigarini has worked for Scuderia Ferarri for many years (he was injured in the 2018 Bahrain Grand Prix when the Maranello team gave Kimi Räikkönen a green light too early in the pit stop. Francesco Cigarini was changing a tire and his left leg was caught under Kimi’s car. He underwent surgery and recovery, returning for the next Formula 1 season).
Today Francesco Cigarini wanted to share with formulapassion.it his memory of Jules Bianchi, who passed away 7 years ago after the tragic accident at the Suzuka circuit in 2014:
“Seven years ago a boy who left his mark in Formula 1 decided to continue his journey elsewhere, leaving a void in many people, but at the same time he filled a space in many others: those who knew him, saw him, knew how to appreciate him.
The first time Jules tried a Formula 1 car I was there. He and three other young boys were to make their debut at Fiorano, they were all young and talented drivers from ACI CSAI (Automobile Club of Italy). I am not writing it for convenience, but his approach and maturity was different, it could be seen clearly. In Jules, a very young Frenchman with a raw but undeniable talent, you could see the determination in his eyes, the breath of those who had a clear goal. I remember that in the debut test he gave targeted indications and practically made no mistakes, which are usually made due to emotion or wanting to prove or overdo it.
During the years I had the opportunity to see his way of working and his smile, while the Driver Academy was created, which heled develop other drivers who, while not reaching F1 permanently, are demonstrating their talent in other areas of motorsport (Marciello, Bortolotti , Fire, Rigon …). His determination, together with his kindness and the desire to do well, remained in my heart, like the desire to joke. I have seen many similarities between Jules and Charles, which I have both known from a very young age, although obviously in different periods.
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Upon learning of the history and friendship that united the two talents, it was natural to grow fond of and strongly cheer for Charles, hoping to see him accomplish what Jules had started. And from nowhere, every now and then, his gaze, his smile and his sacrifice reappear in my mind, like that of the great Ayrton, which has led to enormously improve the safety of drivers. Thanks “Giulio”, for my part and for many other people, you were and are special.”
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