Jules Bianchi funeral takes place in Nice

The funeral of Jules Bianchi, who passed away on Friday from the injuries he sustained at last year's Japanese Grand Prix, took place in his home city of Nice, Southern France on Tuesday morning.

Driver's and family pay their respect to Jules Bianchi
Driver's and family pay their respect to Jules Bianchi

Members of the current Formula 1 grid, FIA President Jean Todt and Bianchi's manager, Nicolas Todt, were among those to attend the 10:00 service at the Sainte Réparate Cathedral.

Thousands of well-wishers also gathered in the town square to pay their respects.

Bianchi had been in a coma for nine months are colliding with a recovery vehicle, which had been working to remove a stricken car, during the aforementioned Suzuka race.

Bianchi is the first driver to pass away as a result of injuries sustained during a Grand Prix since Ayrton Senna's fatal accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix in Imola.

As a mark of respect, governing body the FIA will retire Bianchi's number 17 from use in Formula 1, following the introduction of personal race numbers for the 2014 season.