Philippe Bianchi, father of late Formula 1 driver Jules, has revealed his home was burgled early this week.
Nine karts were stolen, including the last one Jules raced ahead of his move to single-seaters. Bianchi went on to win the F3 Euro Series in 2009 and eventually competed in Formula 1 for two years. He died in July 2015 from injuries he sustained in a horrific crash in the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
His family has lamented an act that “reopens an immense wound” and condemned “a symbolic, intimate and deeply distressing offence”. They called on the thieves’ responsibility, hoping to retrieve the karts and protect Jules’ legacy.
Bianchi’s former mechanic and family friend Dominique Guillien also spoke out against the thieves: “You didn’t pick the wrong door… but the wrong life. What you took isn’t mere equipment. It has little to no commercial value, for an obvious reason: you’ll never be able to use it. It is identified, traceable and unusable on a karting track.
“Most importantly, it belonged to Jules Bianchi. A man, a driver, a child from the karting community. A name that all enthusiasts know, respect and keep close to their hearts. Jules left such a mark that even a five-year-old would know his story, his bravery, his humanity.
“Baby Karts can be used only with an exemption, on very few tracks. Their value is low, but the emotional weight of the theft is huge. The day you attempt to use them, you’ll immediately be recognised, exposed… and your children too will understand what you did. When you stole this equipment, you didn’t just take items. You reopened a wound. You stole a legacy. You hurt Jules’ parents and loved ones again.
“Being a thief, in itself, is a downfall. But persisting would be a choice. It is not too late to set things right. Drop this equipment in a location where it can be returned to his family. Do it. For them. For you. Some things can’t be bought, can’t be resold… and should never be stolen.”
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