Vijay Mallya wishes Jules Bianchi a speedy recovery

Jules Bianchi

Sochi, Oct 7 (IANS)

Force India team principal Vijay Mallya Tuesday extended full support to injured Formula 1 driver Jules Bianchi and said his "recovery is the main priority at the moment".

The French driver, who drives for Marussia, suffered severe head injuries in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka Oct 5 and is said to be in "critical but stable" condition. He is being treated at the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi.

"We got points for both cars in Japan but the race was overshadowed by other events. Everybody at Force India continues to send support to Jules and the Marussia team. We know Jules well having worked with him during 2012. His recovery is the main priority at the moment," Mallya said in a statement.

Bianchi was the team's reserve driver in 2012 before earning himself a racing seat in the Marussia next season.

Mallya said his team is motivated to hold on to the current fifth position in the constructors' championship which Mercedes leads with 522 points. The Mallya owned team is fifth with 122 points.

"Four races remain and the team is still sitting in fifth place in the championship. We are hanging on in there and we know we face a big task in the final four races to maintain this advantage. We are certainly motivated and will do all we can to add performance to the car and score points," Mallya said.

"In Formula 1, anything can happen. We've seen it over and over again and with double points on offer in Abu Dhabi there is all to play for."

With the F1 calendar moving to Russia in the form of the inaugural Russian GP at Sochi Oct 12, the team principal said it was an important race for the global expansion of the sport and that he wants the Indian GP to be back in the itinerary as well.

"It is an important race for us and for the global expansion of the sport. Russia is an emerging market for Formula 1 and it's big enough and important enough for everyone in the sport to look forward to going there," the 58-year-old said.

"These huge markets are the kinds of places that we should be concentrating on which is why I continue to push for India to be back on the calendar as well. We need to embrace these huge audiences where there is great potential to increase the popularity of our sport."