WATCH: OTD| Jules Bianchi's deadly crash in Suzuka that shook Formula 1 world

On this day, October 5, 2014, the Formula 1 world was shaken by a tragedy that would forever alter the sport. At the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, under treacherous conditions, French driver Jules Bianchi suffered a devastating crash that would later claim his life, ending Formula 1's longest era without a fatality.

Since Ayrton Senna's tragic accident at Imola in 1994, the sport had enjoyed a 21-year stretch without a driver losing their life—7,747 days of improved safety and innovation. However, that streak ended on a rainy day in Japan, with Bianchi's crash marking one of the darkest moments in modern F1 history.

Here is the video: 

Jules Bianchi, GP de Japón 2014.

Debido a las condiciones lluviosas, Jules impacta con una grúa que se encontraba asistiendo a otro coche en el exterior de la curva 7.

Sufrió lesiones directamente en su cabeza. Falleció 9 meses después. pic.twitter.com/96XFncKQuJ

— francisca (@H7MILT0N) September 21, 2024

The 2014 Japanese Grand Prix was held amid the region’s typhoon season, and the heavy rains were a major concern from the start. The two title contenders, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton began the race from the front row, but it was clear from the outset that the race would be treacherous.

The intense downpour forced the race to start under the safety car, and even under these controlled conditions, the track remained nearly impassable. Several drivers, including Marcus Ericsson and Sebastian Vettel, struggled to maintain control on the wet surface, with cars spinning out within just a few laps.

How did Jules Bianchi crash? 

By lap 10, the safety car left the track, and the race was fully underway, though visibility remained poor and the rain unrelenting. As the laps ticked by, conditions worsened once again, and on lap 43, disaster struck.

Adrian Sutil lost control of his Sauber in Turn 7 and crashed, prompting a crane to be dispatched to remove the stricken car. One lap later, Jules Bianchi, fighting for control of his Marussia, skidded off the same turn. In a horrifying moment, his car collided with the recovery crane, an impact so violent it lifted the heavy vehicle off the ground.

Bianchi's head struck the underside of the crane, causing life-threatening injuries. The race was immediately red-flagged on lap 46, and though Lewis Hamilton was declared the winner, the victory meant little to the paddock. All focus was now on Bianchi, who was rushed to Yokkaichi Hospital in a critical state.

After nine agonizing months in a coma, Bianchi passed away on July 17, 2015, in his hometown of Nice, France, at the age of 25. His death sent shockwaves through the F1 community, and his funeral was attended by fellow drivers, family, and friends. The emotional loss was felt deeply by his peers, with Sebastian Vettel dedicating his Hungarian Grand Prix win just days later to Bianchi, pointing to the sky and saying, "Thank you, Jules, this victory is for you."