F3: Jules Bianchi on his way to Formula 1?

From Formula 3 Euroseries

He started the season as the top favourite and lived up to the expectations. With two races remaining, 20-year old Frenchman Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) already claimed the drivers’ title in the Formula 3 Euro Series.


Born in Nice, Jules won the sixth consecutive drivers’ title for his team ART Grand Prix, following in the footsteps of such illustrious drivers like Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 rookie Romain Grosjean, GP2 champion Nico Hülkenberg and DTM aces Paul Di Resta and Jamie Green, who also won the title in the tough junior race series.

Since his start in single-seaters, Bianchi has been considered as a great talent. As a rookie, he won the 2007 title in the French Formula Renault championship right away behind the wheel of am SG Formula entered car.

One year later, he moved up to ART Grand Prix in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Indeed, the rookie made a few mistakes, but at an early stage already, he proved that he had the necessary speed: he scored his maiden podium finish in only his third race.


This season, he has won seven races so far, six of them on Saturday. At Zandvoort, he even managed to win the race on Sunday as well, in spite of the reversed grid ruling.

The new champion comes from a genuine motorsport dynasty. His grandfather Mauro Bianchi and the latter’s brother Lucien were successful race drivers. In 1968, Lucien won the Le Mans 24 Hours and even scored podium finishes in Formula 1. Mauro also competed in Formula 1.

One of Jules Bianchi’s particular characteristics is the fact that he always gives 100 percent. Even when he is clearly in the lead, he continues to drive at the limit. Outside of his race car, he is rather silent, keeping a low profile.

In his spare time, he likes to work on his fitness and is often driving go-karts. His father Philippe runs a kart track in his domestic village Brignoles in the south of France, at which Jules Bianchi always drives when he is at home. Moreover, he often plays football and roots for his favourite club, Olympique de Marseille.

When he isn’t involved in any sports activities, he prefers to spend time with his friends and his girlfriend Camille. The medicine student, however, is only rarely seen at the race track.