Grid rivals united in hope for Bianchi

Formula One left Suzuka bound for Sochi with the thoughts of everyone involved in the sport firmly left behind with Jules Bianchi — as the Marussia driver fought for his life in a Japanese hospital.

Lewis Hamilton beat Mercedes team-mate and pole sitter Nico Rosberg to victory in a race affected by rain but his now 10-point championship lead was overshadowed following a Japanese Grand Prix which was ended prematurely after a freak accident left Bianchi requiring surgery on a severe head injury.

The 25-year-old Frenchman crashed into a recovery vehicle after aquaplaning off the wet track at the same corner as Sauber’s Adrian Sutil, who had left the circuit on the previous lap.