On selected Thursdays across Formula 1’s European season, GPUpdate.net shares an insight to the up and coming stars of tomorrow. This time it’s a Frenchman who’s part of Ferrari’s exclusive young driver programme, dominated the 2009 F3 Euro Series and is now quick – if not a tad controversial – in GP2.

Name Jules Bianchi
Born 3 August 1989, Nice, France
Age 21
Twitter @Jules_Bianchi

Current series GP2
Team ART

Career in a nut shell Karting -> French Formula Renault 2.0 -> Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 -> Formula 3 Euro Series -> GP2 Asia Series -> GP2

Did you know? Bianchi is the son of Mauro Bianchi, a triple GT World Champion. He is a great nephew of the late Lucien Bianchi, who competed in 19 F1 Grands Prix between 1959 and 1968, finishing on the podium for Cooper in the 1968 Monaco Grand Prix which was won by Graham Hill. Lucien also won the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Two minutes with Jules Bianchi…
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How did you get interested in racing?

My father had a go-kart track, so I started very early when I was three years old. My family has always been involved in motor racing because my grandfather and great uncle were drivers around the 1960s, so I’ve been there all my life.

What is your greatest achievement so far?

For me it was probably Zandvoort 2009, when I won the two Formula 3 Masters races – starting P8 for one of them. So that was the greatest moment for me.

Do you have any racing heroes?

Yeah, Schumacher. Schumacher was my example and my favourite driver, for sure.

And finally…tell us something ridiculous about yourself please…

I always use the same underwear for racing. On a race weekend I wash it in the evening and that’s it, I then use it the next day. Why? It’s a superstition, that’s it really.