The FIA will retire Jules Bianchi's car number (17) as a mark of respect to the Frenchman following his tragic death last weekend.

Bianchi was involved in a collision in the Japanese Grand Prix and spent nine months in a coma before passing away with his family at his bedside.

As F1 car numbers are now personally chosen by each driver, the FIA believes it to be an appropriate gesture to retire Jules Bianchi’s number 17,” FIA president Jean Todt announced on their official website.

“As a result, this number can no longer be used for a car competing in the FIA Formula One World Championship.”

The 25-year -old became the first driver to die as a result of injuries sustained at a grand prix weekend in more than 20 years, the last being three-time world champion Ayrton Senna who was killed in San Marino in May 1994.