Bianchi in surgery for ’severe head injury’ - FIA

Jules Bianchi is undergoing surgery for a "severe head injury", F1’s governing body has announced.

At the same time, the French driver’s father has told the L’Equipe sports daily that his son is in a "critical" condition at the Mie hospital near Suzuka.

The same media reports said the "emergency surgery" was being done because 25-year-old Bianchi suffered cerebral hematoma.

After the surgery, "he will be moved to intensive care where he will be monitored," the FIA statement said.

France’s Le Figaro claimed Bianchi arrived at the hospital by ambulance already in a coma but "without the need for respiratory support".

Video replays of Bianchi’s crash were ordered not to be shown or released by F1 race director Charlie Whiting.

Adrian Sutil, however, was visibly shaken up after the accident, in which Bianchi lost control of his car at high speed and went underneath a recovery vehicle that was removing the crashed Sauber.

"It was almost a carbon copy of my crash," said Sutil.

Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport claims that in the impact, the entire left side of Bianchi’s Marussia was destroyed, including the crash structure and roll-bar.

"I’ve never seen such a badly damaged car," said one eyewitness who was at the scene.

FIA - Full presss release

On lap 42, Adrian Sutil lost control of his car, spun and hit the tyre barrier on the outside of Turn 7. The marshals displayed double waved yellow flags before the corner to warn drivers of the incident. A recovery vehicle was despatched in order to lift the car and take it to a place of safety behind the guardrail. While this was being done the driver of car 17, Jules Bianchi, lost control of his car, travelled across the run-off area and hit the back of the tractor.

Once the marshals reported that the driver was injured, medical teams were despatched and the Safety Car was deployed. These were followed by an extrication team and an ambulance.

The driver was removed from the car, taken to the circuit medical centre and then by ambulance to Mie General Hospital.

The CT scan shows that he has suffered a severe head injury and he is currently undergoing surgery. Following this he will be moved to intensive care where he will be monitored.

Mie General Hospital will issue an update as soon as further information becomes available.