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In an exclusive interview he gave Tuesday to French radio station Europe 1, former Formula 1 driver, Philippe Streiff admitted he was very worried about Jules Bianchi's condition.
Streiff himself suffered terrible spinal injuries in a Formula 1 crash in 1989.
During a test in Brazil, his AGS left the track, summersaulted several times, and was launched over the safety barriers. The roll-over hoop was ripped from the chassis, causing severe spinal injuries to the French driver who today suffers from tetraplegia and in a wheel chair.
Jules Bianchi's Marussia left the track during the recent Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka and hit a heavy tractor that was removing a stranded F1 car on the side of the road.
Since then, Bianchi remains in a critical, but stable condition in a Japanese hospital.
“Unfortunately, the news is not good,” Streiff told Europe 1.
“[Jules] is in a coma and still cannot be moved. It is very serious, and I personally don't think that he will emerge from his coma very soon. If he does, he will be deeply handicapped,” Streiff explained.
“I think Jules' accident was far more serious than Michael Schumacher's. It's a lot worse than hitting your head on a rock. It was serious for Schumacher, but I can say that it is very, very serious for Jules Bianchi. If he emerges from his coma, the situation will be extremely hard for him and his family,” Streiff added.
Philippe Streiff mentioned Michael Schumacher: The Frenchman is fully aware that head and spinal injuries can be extremely serious.
“People say ‘Schumacher is getting better.' It's all relative. His situation is complex and difficult. He's paralysed in a wheelchair, like me. He's also suffering from memory and speech troubles.”
“Being in his house and surrounded by members of his family may speed up his recovery process a bit, but it will be very difficult. Apparently, he can communicate with his eyes to his wife and his manager,” Streiff said.
Streiff himself suffered terrible spinal injuries in a Formula 1 crash in 1989.
During a test in Brazil, his AGS left the track, summersaulted several times, and was launched over the safety barriers. The roll-over hoop was ripped from the chassis, causing severe spinal injuries to the French driver who today suffers from tetraplegia and in a wheel chair.
Jules Bianchi's Marussia left the track during the recent Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka and hit a heavy tractor that was removing a stranded F1 car on the side of the road.
Since then, Bianchi remains in a critical, but stable condition in a Japanese hospital.
“Unfortunately, the news is not good,” Streiff told Europe 1.
“[Jules] is in a coma and still cannot be moved. It is very serious, and I personally don't think that he will emerge from his coma very soon. If he does, he will be deeply handicapped,” Streiff explained.
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| Jules Bianchi, Philippe Streiff and Laury Thilleman during the ERDF Master Karts in 2011. (Photo: WRI2) |
“I think Jules' accident was far more serious than Michael Schumacher's. It's a lot worse than hitting your head on a rock. It was serious for Schumacher, but I can say that it is very, very serious for Jules Bianchi. If he emerges from his coma, the situation will be extremely hard for him and his family,” Streiff added.
Philippe Streiff mentioned Michael Schumacher: The Frenchman is fully aware that head and spinal injuries can be extremely serious.
“People say ‘Schumacher is getting better.' It's all relative. His situation is complex and difficult. He's paralysed in a wheelchair, like me. He's also suffering from memory and speech troubles.”
“Being in his house and surrounded by members of his family may speed up his recovery process a bit, but it will be very difficult. Apparently, he can communicate with his eyes to his wife and his manager,” Streiff said.