A smile is all that it takes.

Everybody lives their own lives and decides how to live it. But one thing we all have in common is that there is something, at a certain point in time, that changes us. 

If we look back on our timeline there is a spike that stands out somewhere along the way. That spike may be a moment, a person, a place, something that creates a “before” and an “after”. 

These happenings to people are extremely personal and individual but they create some kind of link between us all that somehow makes us feel connected. 

And when that link is made in a specific environment and in the middle of a designed group of people, that link becomes a knot that ties everyone together around the same moment in time. A very vivid moment which eventually creates the “before” and the “after”.

There is a name in the world of Motorsport. A name that matches the face of a young boy from the south of France. 

Jules Lucien André Bianchi.

Born August 3rd 1989 in the beautiful city of Nice, close to Monte-Carlo, home of his dearest friends and family. Grandson of the Italian Mauro Bianchi, winner of the Nürburgring 500km, it was clear since the first day he climbed into a racing kart that it was his destiny to become a driver. It was quite literally engraved in his family line and everyone around him could see it. 

Jules’ life, just as every other driver who makes it into Formula One, was exciting at first, fearless and full of surprises. As days went by and the clock of time continued ticking, the pride and joy of driving an F1 car and the successes that started piling up over his name did not go unnoticed. Jules was young, strong and fast. 

It was like when he sat in the car nothing else in the entire world mattered. There could be fire all around him, a thunderstorm, nothing would’ve distracted Jules from himself and his car. Hands on the wheel, visor down and the force of speed pushing him forward. 

Sometimes people make a difference and become unforgettable. Not by their successes, victories or amazing achievements but simply by being themselves. A smile is all that takes. 

Jules was exactly like this. Bright and joyful. His name already known around the paddock, the eyes of Ferrari all over him. In the Italian Scuderia, maybe following some very stereotypical old wives tales, people really believed in signs. And Jules was the most beaming upcoming star alive at that time who eventually inspired the foundation of the Ferrari Driver Academy (“FDA”).

The “before” of the Frenchman's life was full of wonderful things. Gaining the title of first driver to enter the FDA in 2009, he was then given the opportunity to drive a F60 in December of that same year after an astonishing test drive in the circuit of Jerez. 

In 2012 he was already the third driver for Force India and later on, he switched to Ferrari. He was talented, there was no denying it, but he was also fast. Incredibly fast. 

Being recruited by the Red Team, with the Prancing Horse of Maranello was something that almost came naturally for him. Following its founding father’s most thoughtful advice, they locked Jules in, just as Enzo had done with the juvenile Gilles Villeneuve after putting him in the car, taking Niki Lauda’s place. Both Frenchmen had shown incredible talent from the first moment they sat in the car and for Jules there was no better place to be. He knew it and the rest of the world knew it. Just like any other driver who dreams of driving for the Italian Scuderia.

A year later he parted ways with them and entered the Marussia F1 Team and immediately turned everyone’s gaze on him with a series of (small) successes but that counted as huge ones because of a car that wasn’t exactly the best on the grid. 

In October of 2014 came the moment that put an imposed stop to the ticking clock that was Jules’ life. And with that, the “after” of his existence started. 

During the first week of the month, as the Japanese Grand Prix unfolded, the rain was crushing down on the drivers, making it almost impossible to see. Jules’ car, registered #17, lost its grip on the asphalt, flew off track at a shocking speed and crashed hard into a crane, left on the side of the track to retrieve Adrian Sutil’s Sauber. 

There was silence after that. A silence you never want to hear during a Formula One race. It’s the silence of the knowledge that something terrible has happened, when no one is able to breathe and the air is simply stuck in your lungs, afraid that if you let it out that horrible thought becomes reality. 

Eyes were stuck on the screens, desperately trying to make out something because of the heavy rain. Ears on attentive mode, listening to the speakers and waiting. Waiting to hear the words “The driver is okay.”, waiting for the sound of life, waiting for something, anything to happen. Waiting. 

It’s the wait that killed Jules Bianchi. Only 25 years old. After being transferred into a hospital in Nice, nine months later, the family announced his death on july 17th, 2015. The 17th.. The same number that was on his car and that later on, the FIA decided to retire as a form of respect. 

At exactly 2:45am of that dreadful morning the “after” of everyone close to Jules Bianchi started. 

The sadness of seeing someone so young and with his entire life ahead of him, being forced to close his eyes forever. Many famous F1 names attended Jules’ funeral in the cathedral of Nice. Family members, friends like his best friend Lorenzo Tolotta-Leclerc and also his godson Charles Leclerc.

No one should suffer such a terrible loss like they did but Charles Leclerc, to this day, continues to remember his godfather with happiness in his eyes. He partakes every year in the karting race the Association Jules Bianchi holds in honor of him and is always proud to share moments or anecdotes with his mentor. 

Charles’ continuous effort to keep Jules’ legacy alive is the perfect example of how much of an impact he has had on the sport. I’m not talking about his death, more of his life. 

He has set an example for many young drivers in Motorsport, inspiring them to try and never give up until you’ve achieved your goal. 

Jules Bianchi was a “quiet force” as many at Ferrari describe him. He was light and he was fire. A force of nature behind the wheel and also the kindest human to ever live. Always with a smile on his face and a shining spark in his eyes that mirrored his passion for driving. 

This is how he will be forever remembered,

With a smile.

Because most of the time, it’s all that it takes.

Written by Fran