Driver profile: Jules Bianchi

Frenchman Jules Bianchi makes the step up to a Formula 1 seat this season with Marussia, having spent 2012 as a reserve and test driver for Force India.

Bianchi, 23, is a member of the Ferrari driver academy but was on loan at Force India last year, participating in nine Friday free practice sessions.

Bianchi's stats and facts

  • Team: Marussia
  • Team-mate: Max Chilton
  • Previous teams: none
  • Born: 03/08/1989, Nice, France

He was linked with a race seat at Force India, but lost out to Adrian Sutil and Marussia made their move to bring him to the team after terminating the contract of Luiz Razia.

Bianchi has had some impressive results in the various racing categories he competed in before stepping up to Formula 1.

He was Formula 3 Euro Series champion in 2009 before finishing third in successive seasons in GP2.

Last year, Bianchi was runner-up in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, winning three races and finishing on the podium in eight of the 17 races he competed in.