OCTOBER 17, 2014

Shirking responsibility after Bianchi crash

Jules Bianchi's mother has broken her silence by hinting the family is being told to keep quiet about her son's life-threatening crash.

Jules Bianchi's mother has broken her silence by hinting the family is being told to keep quiet about her son's life-threatening crash.

Christine Bianchi, still at the Mie hospital in Japan, was interviewed informally on Friday by a reporter for the French broadcaster RTL.

She revealed the 25-year-old Marussia driver is still unconscious.

"Jules is being very well treated," said Mrs Bianchi. "The hospital is perfect, the doctors are excellent, respectful and kind."

Beyond that, the RTL correspondent relayed, Christine said she does not want to talk.

"Or rather," the journalist said, "she says she cannot talk."

Mrs Bianchi explained: "I can't say anything more, apart from about the criticisms. You know, some people say things to shirk their responsibilities."

The correspondent asked Christine directly if she and the family are being forced to be silent.

"F1," she answered. "It's a business. A very big business."

(GMM)