F1 driver Jules Bianchi dies from injuries sustained in 2014 crash

The family of Jules Bianchi says the French Formula One driver has died from head injuries sustained in a crash at last year's Japanese Grand Prix.

The news was posted on Bianchi's official Twitter feed early Saturday morning French time and later confirmed by the Manor F1 team.

The 25-year-old Bianchi had been in a coma since the Oct. 5 accident, in which he slammed his high-speed car into a mobile crane which was being used to pick up another crashed car on the rain-soaked track.

The family statement said "Jules fought right to the very end, as he always did, but today his battle came to an end. The pain we feel is immense and indescribable."

Bianchi's death is the first resulting from a Formula One Grand Prix accident since that of Ayrton Senna in San Marino in 1994. Sadly, this one was due to the negligence of track officials.

R.I.P.

Incredible footage of F-1 driver Jules Bianchi's crash at Japanese Grand Prix (VIDEO)

It's been 20 years since a Formula One driver was killed during a race — racing great Ayrton Senna was killed at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994 — but that doesn't mean it can't happen again.

Especially due to the carelessness of those not behind the wheel.

After Jules Bianchi freak crash into a tractor being used to clear away the wreck of Adrian Sutil's car from a lap earlier at the Japanese Grand Prix Sunday, officials are looking into whether or not both accidents could have been avoided if better judgement was used before, and during, the rain-soaked race.

The 25-year-old Bianchi is still in critical condition after being driven to a hospital 10 miles away before surgery lasting three hours.

Here's the frightening crash (WARNING: Graphic footage):

While the Formula One community’s thoughts remain predominantly with Bianchi, questions were being raised about both accidents and their aftermaths.

First, should the safety car not have been deployed the moment the tractor came on to fetch Sutil’s car?

Surprisingly, the FIA, the governing body of the sport, refused to answer that one on Sunday night.

But there was also the strong suggestion that Bianchi caused the accident by failing to see, or react to, the double yellow flags that were being waved. It seems he did not lift off the throttle as he would normally do in those circumstances.

Then, if it was not deemed safe for the helicopter next to the medical center to take Bianchi to the hospital because conditions were too dangerous, why did the same helicopter take off at about the same time, presumably to a different location less sensitive to the weather?

Another question is whether the race should have been held so late: 3pm local time. It was getting dark by the time the race was ending, at close to 5pm.