Lewis Hamilton has revealed how the recent passing of Jules Bianchi has had a profound effect on every driver heading into this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.
The reigning world champion was among those to pay tribute to the late Marussia star at a service in his hometown of Nice on Tuesday.
Bianchi's death, which came nine months after his horrific crash at the Japanese Grand Prix, left Hamilton feeling 'heartbroken' as attention turns towards the final race before the summer break.
"It is very hard for all of us in Formula 1 to grasp the magnitude of Jules Bianchi's death last week," he told BBC Sport. "Many of us attended Jules's funeral in Nice on Tuesday, so it is all so clear in our minds as we arrive in Hungary this weekend. This year was already hard knowing Jules, who was a racer like all of us, was in hospital.
"We knew how serious his condition was, but obviously you were always hoping that he would pull through. So to have heard that he is no longer with us; well, it is hard to believe in this day and age. It was heartbreaking to see his family and friends in tears, hurting so much, and just knowing that they are going through the worst possible time.
"Jules will be in all of our thoughts this weekend in Hungary but we will go out and race hard for him because, like him, we are all racers. That's what we do, what Jules did, and what he would want us to do."
A minute's silence will be held before Sunday's race in Bucharest.
Daniel Lewis
