Leclerc: Bianchi memory makes Suzuka difficult

Charles Leclerc admits he will be battling with his emotions during the Japanese Grand Prix as he prepares to race for the first time at the Suzuka circuit where his friend and mentor Jules Bianchi suffered a fatal crash in 2014.

Bianchi died nine months after crashing into a support vehicle in the rain-affected race.

Leclerc and Bianchi grew up together on the Cote d'Azur, Leclerc following in Bianchi's footsteps by being signed up to the Ferrari academy and the Monegasque will drive for the Scuderia next season.

As he prepares to race at Suzuka for the first time, Leclerc says his thoughts will be preoccupied across the event.

"It's obviously a very difficult weekend," said Leclerc. "Jules has helped me massively to arrive here, more than only on the racing side. He was a big like part of the family.

View this post on Instagram

First time for me in Japan. Impossible to not think of what happened here 4 years ago. We miss you Julio, big push to make a good week-end for you ?? @julesbianchi17

A post shared by Charles Leclerc (@charles_leclerc) on Oct 3, 2018 at 3:32am PDT

"I never came to Japan before, the track walk this morning was quite emotional.

"But yeah, on the other hand I really need to focus on this weekend to try to do the best job possible anyway. Even if it's a difficult weekend."

Leclerc said he may design a special helmet for next year's Suzuka race, carrying tributes to both Bianchi and his father Herve, who passed away last year as Leclerc was competing in F2.

"I'm definitely thinking about something for next year, about a helmet, but you know there is this rule where you can only run one special helmet," he added.

"This year I did it for my father, next year I have an idea of doing something, a helmet split on both sides – one for Jules, one for my father.

"For this year I will have nothing more special than trying to make him remembered as much as I can to the public."

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